Evidently all the controversies relating to the 2023 edition had an important specific weight in the final decision. Many tennis players were forced to withdraw from the tournament due to not having enough recovery time between one day and the next.
Thus, the no longer adequate spaces of the Palais Omnisport in Paris-Bercy called Accor Arena for a few years had been present for some time. Environments deemed no longer suitable for hosting a major tennis event such as an ATP Master 1000.
The last Master 1000 tournament held every year just before the ATP Finals will therefore be moved. Starting from the 2025 edition, the tournament will be played at the Arena La Défense in Paris.
Le @RolexPMasters poursuivra l’aventure à Paris La Défense Arena
À compter de 2025, cette compétition mythique, appartenant aux neufs tournois principaux du circuit professionnel masculin après ceux du Grand Chelem, se tiendra à Paris La Défense Arena : https://t.co/v2c3HbKZHb pic.twitter.com/34oY6pNlwV
— ROLEX PARIS MASTERS (@RolexPMasters) January 29, 2024
The new home of the Rolex Paris Masters
The French Tennis Federation has opted for this change to try to offer better welcoming conditions for players and spectators and to respect the standards established by the ATP for Masters 1000 tournaments.
The fields and spaces for players will be expanded and improved. From four plus two (4 matches in the daytime session and 2 in the evening) we will move to the 3+2 formula in order to avoid late start of matches. Everyone will remember what happened for example in the last edition with Jannik Sinner on the pitch late at night and then withdrawing from the competition the following day.
It will be possible to welcome a greater number of spectators: 23,000 in total compared to 16,800 today. There will also be other major changes with an increase in the number of pairs taking part in the doubles tournament and also in the format.
Djokovic© Justin Setterfield / Staff Getty Images Sport
The Tournament CEO Cedric Pioline explained how this move opens up more scheduling possibilities.
“With this move to the Paris La Défense Arena, greater possibilities are opened up in terms of programming and also in terms of welcoming players and spectators,” he explained.
The president of the French Tennis Federation, Gilles Moretton explained: “This is an important strategic decision in the history of the Rolex Paris Masters, one of the most prestigious tournaments of the ATP. We thank the Accor Arena, the theater where we wrote some of the most beautiful pages of the history of Bercy tennis.”
The ATP CEO Andrea Gaudenzi finally highlighted that the move to the Paris La Défense Arena is excellent news for the FFT and for the Rolex Paris Masters, which will be able to continue its development on the international scene.
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