Sergio Casal - "Challenge system on sand is the future!"
The second edition of the Sanchez-Casal Head by NH Hotel Group was the seventh and last ATP Challenger event of the year, which was held on Spanish soil. The clay court tournament, which is endowed with 46,600 euros, had a special feature: The players had the opportunity to review the lines judges' decisions using FoxTenn technology.
by Florian Heer
last edit:
Oct 08, 2019, 12:01 pm
By Florian Heer from Barcelona
In addition to the Italian tournament winner Salvatore Caruso, tournament director Sergio Casal was also convinced of the performance of the challenge system on ashes. The now 57-year-old was able to achieve a total of 47 tournament wins in doubles, including two triumphs at Grand Slams alongside his partner Emilio Sánchez. The duo also won the silver medal at the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. In 1995 Casal ended his professional tennis career. Three years later, the double partners of yore founded their first joint tennis academy in the greater Barcelona area, not far from the international airport in El Prat de Llobregat. We met the likeable Spaniard for an interview on the final Sunday.
Tennisnet: Sergio, what is your conclusion of the week?
Casal: I think we could continue to improve. The second edition was a little different, as there were more players in the tournament due to the 48 square meter. After a bit of bad luck with rain last year, the weather stood by us this time. We could see some good matches. In addition, our people from the Academy were again involved in the tournament in various areas, which gives them the opportunity to learn and gain experience in the field of professional tennis.
How did the idea come about to use FoxTenn technology on sand?
About 10 days before the tournament started we received a call from the former tour player Felix Mantilla, who is one of the people behind the system. We then had a meeting and decided to use it in this tournament. The players will need to get used to it a bit, but it will be the future, even on sand. It is much easier for the players. Some people claim that a challenge would take more time, but that's not true. It takes a lot longer for the referee to come down from his chair to check the ballprint. In addition, there are hardly any discussions. The decision of the system has to be accepted.
2019 is also a special year for you, as the Academy celebrates its 20th anniversary.
Yes, we've been here for 20 years now. We still want to help young people to develop well in all aspects of life. In addition to the tennis academy, we also have our school, where you can go to the USA on a scholarship. Maybe a professional tennis career will also be successful. Of course, this is not easy. With a tournament like this, we also give the players on the tour the chance to improve their ranking or to collect valuable points even after an injury break.
Will there be a third edition next year?
We have a three-year contract. Thus, an ATP Challenger Event will definitely be held again in 2020. I would also like to locate the tournament here, however. It takes time to build a certain tradition, but I would like to see players have the tournament in Barcelona firmly on their agenda. That is my goal for the next few years.
All the best and thank you for the interview.