HISTORY
It was not a lot of time ago, when we think about the first edition of the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid. It was only three years ago, in October of 2002, when for the first time in Spain one of the largest tournaments of the ATP international circuit was celebrated. The Rockódromo became the Central Court of the eighth ATP Masters Series of the season. That year, the American André Agassi and the Czech Jiri Novak met in the final. However, the match was not disputed because Novak was injured and could not play. Therefore, André Agassi was crowned as the champion of the first edition of the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid.
The public's response was spectacular, taking into account that a tennis tournament of this significance had never been disputed in Madrid. 103. 775 people witnessed the first edition of the tournament that was cover for more than 220 national and international journalists. In 2002, the tournament was broadcasted by television to 130 countries, with more than 817 hours of international broadcast. In our country, more than 12 hours of information by television and more than 47 hours of broadcasting of a pre-recorded information were put on. Moreover, more than 1.000 articles were written.
In 2003, the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madriddid not need an introduction letter. The social and sportive prestige achieved the previous year was more than enough to attract the public. That year, the main attraction for the public was the Spanish Juan Carlos Ferrero who was in his best professional moment to have been crowned as Number 1 the previous tournament week. The Spanish reached the final where he faced the Chilean Nicolás Massú. The Central Court was completely overturned in that match and had reward. Ferrero became the first Spanish player, and up to the moment the only one, that has won the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madrid. The attendance grew up until arriving at more than 116.500 spectators. The interest of the mass media also was increased, and that year, more than 400 journalists covered the tournament. That year the television coverage reached more than 155 countries, with a total of 1.123 hours. The Spanish television offered more than 14 hours of information and more than 62 of broadcast. More than 1900 articles on the second edition of the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madridwere written.
From 2004, the Mutua Madrileña Masters Madridwon a place in the agenda of October. The Argentine David Nalbandian and the Russian Marat Safín, a player that coached since his beginnings in Valencia, were faced in the final. Safín became the champion of the third edition of the Madrid tournament. The interest of the public grew again, and the barrier of the 100.000 spectators and the coverage of the press were surpassed again. The tournament was broadcasting in 155 countries, with more than 1.376 hours. In Spain, more than 16 hours of information and more than 51 hours of broadcast were emitted. More than 2200 articles were written.
In 2005, the tournament was a big success. In the sports environment, it will be difficult to forget the final in which Rafael Nadal faced Ivan Ljubicic, the revelation of the season. The Spanish player began losing the two first sets. He never gave up during the entire match and he fought up to win the fifth set. He won the match in the tie-break. All the people in the Madrid Arena were cheering the Spanish up. Nadal became the second Spanish that won the tournament of Madrid. The tournament beat all the records of audience and media coverage. 120.440 people went to the Madrid Arena to enjoy the tournament. And the ones that were not there could follow it by television, with more than 22 hours of information and 59 of broadcast. And more than 2 350 articles were written.
In 2007, the tournament beat a new record of public. More than 136 400 people visited the site last year. Roger Federer and David Nalbandian played the final. Argentine won over the swiss and started his “resurrection” as one of the better player in the circuit.
It will be the last time that the tournament will be held in Recinto Ferial Casa de Campo. From 2009 on, the new site will be the “Magic Box”.