ITF Pleased with Rio 2016 Tennis Preparations Despite Initial Concerns

International Tennis Federation (ITF) executive vice president Juan Margets says preparations for the Rio Olympic tennis tournament are progressing well.

Rio is set to host a number of top names including London 2010 champion Andy Murray, as well as world No.1 Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The Rio tournament will take place out in the Olympic city taking shape in the western suburb of Barra de Tijuca, with the 165 million reais ($66.3 million) venue officially set to be ready by the third quarter of next year, overcoming early delays.

Margets said he could not deny there were early concerns at the pace of construction.

“But yesterday’s visit confirmed things are on the move. We are satisfied with how it is coming along.”

ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said in April progress was “a little disappointing” but organisers played down fears the venue would not be ready.

Margets, who heads the Davis Cup committee, insists “concern was always minimal” over the venue. Centre court will hold 10,000 people, another will have 3000 seats and an additional court will have a temporary capacity for 5000 fans.

The tennis complex will comprise seven further courts each with a capacity for 250 people and there will also be six warm-up and training courts.

The stadium will be able to host an ATP 1000 event. Rio currently hosts an ATP World Tour 500 event.

Early delays meant an ITF test event had to be put back from August next year to December.