Murray, Kerber among first participants of the 2020 Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro

The Mutua Madrid Open was originally scheduled to be held from May 1st to May 10th, but was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, the tournament organizers announced on Monday the creation of a virtual edition of the event.

The new tournament will feature the best tennis players in the world facing each other from their homes, as they swap their rackets for video game controllers. It will be held from April 27th to April 30th, as players "clash" in a virtual recreation of the Manolo Santana stadium.

Two-time Madrid champion Murray (2008, 2015) is the first ATP star to be announced. Competing alongside the Brit is Frenchman Lucas Pouille, who just recovered from a right elbow injury.

Representing the WTA is former World No.1 Angelique Kerber, who seems eager to compete against other WTA players.

“The Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro is a new challenge for us the players, and something that I have never been done before,” Kerber said. “It’s exciting and a good opportunity to compete from home in a new format. I'm looking forward to participate!"

Joining Kerber is the retiring Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro. The former World No.6 was denied the opportunity to compete in front of her home crowd one final time due to the pandemic. This tournament grants her the unique chance to say goodbye to her fans, albeit in a different format.

"Forming part of the Mutua Madrid Open Virtual Pro is an honor,” Suárez said. "I’m sure we will all have a good time, we’ll have fun with the fans and, above all, we’ll be contributing to a good cause.”

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