ALBOT, PASSARO AND VERDASCO LEAD THE SEEDING
GREAT EXPECTATION FOR NARDI AND THE “AZZURRI”
Tenerife, 28 December 2022 – The entry list of the Tenerife Challenger has been officially released. The circuit returns to the Canary Islands, more precisely to the Abama Tennis Academy, which will host three events between January and February. The first, scheduled for January 15-22, is an ATP Challenger 100; two ATP Challenger 75s will follow (from 29 January to 5 February and from 5 to 12 February). In the review organized by MEF Tennis Events on the outdoor hard courts of the renowned academy, the Moldovan Radu Albot will lead the seeding. Followed by the blue Francesco Passaro and the idol of the house Fernando Verdasco. Luca Nardi will also be at the starting line, one of the most interesting prospects in world tennis.
From Passaro to Nardi, lots of Italy in Tenerife – Thirty-three-year-old Radu Albot, who boasts an ATP best ranking of 39 in his career, will be the top seed in the tournament. The Moldovan starts the season as ATP number 103 and his new run-up to the top 100 will also pass to the Canary Islands. In 2023 the Umbrian Francesco Passaro will also try to reach this goal, who after last year’s exploits, wants to continue the climb that in 2022 led him to be a protagonist on the fields of the Foro Italico and the Next Gen ATP Finals; as well as conquering the first ATP Challenger title in Trieste. Fernando Verdasco, three times Davis Cup champion with Spain, semifinalist at the 2009 Australian Open and former world number 7, needs no introduction. The champion born in Madrid, already played in Tenerife in 2021 and distinguished himself by reaching the semi-final. The presence of Italian troops is rich, starting with Matteo Arnaldi (134 ATP) and Luca Nardi (135 ATP). The latter in particular is considered one of the top prospects in world tennis and is called to the maturity season. The tricolor picture is closed by the presence in the main draw of Flavio Cobolli and Riccardo Bonadio, while Spain will also be represented by Carlos Taberner. Among the most prominent names of the excellent entry list, also the German Jan-Lennard Struff and the French Benoit Paire.
The enthusiasm of director Marrero – “It is very important for us to continue organizing tournaments in Tenerife and doing it with MEF Tennis Events is an added value: it is a guarantee of excellent success”. These are the words of David Marrero, director of the three Tenerife Challengers scheduled soon. The former number 5 ATP doubles, as well as champion of the ATP Finals in 2013 paired with Fernando Verdasco, will once again lead the events organized by MEF Tennis Events in the Canary Islands: “We start immediately strong with an ATP Challenger 100 with an excellent entry list. We are always happy to be able to welcome high-level players and in general these tournaments are good for the Spanish movement and for Canarian tennis”.