There will be no Hopman Cup in 2024. Neither in Nice, nor anywhere else. Officially, it is the fault of the Paris Olympic Games, starting the day following the closing date of the prestigious tournament, initially announced for July 22 to 25. At least this is the justification put forward this Tuesday, in a press release, by the International Tennis Federation and its partner Tennium, responsible for organizing the event.
But the reasons for cancellation seem more numerous. Since its return to Nice last summer, the shine of the famous competition has faded. Obscured by internal dissensions at the Nice Lawn tennis club, withdrawing from hosting the remaining four editions (our September 26 edition). This was however provided for in the contract between the City and Tennium. An agreement undermined by the complexity of moving the event to another club on the coast.
Last downside, not the least: the municipality would no longer wish to financially support the tournament.
So, how can we not fear for the future of the Hopman Cup on the Riviera? The CEO of Tennium, Kristoff Puelinckx, wants to be reassuring but makes no guarantees.
The 2024 Olympics have been planned for a long time. What motivated the choice of cancellation? Is this linked to the lack of police personnel or the unavailability of players?
The players were ready. We are forced to cancel for security reasons. The Interior Ministry does not want further international events. And we might not claim the exception granted to the Tour de France.
Despite the Olympics, less than five months before the competition, no club had been found to host the event. Isn’t that also grounds for cancellation?
The problem wasn’t finding a club. All the towns, on the Coast or elsewhere in France, had large reserves for the Olympic period. At that point, the only other option was to do the Hopman Cup in another country.
Relocation to other cities, French or European, therefore remains a possibility for 2025, despite the five-year contract with Nice?
It is too early to say. There are discussions with many cities and clubs, on the Coast but also with other countries which are very interested. In three or four months, it should be fixed. But the Côte d’Azur and particularly Nice remain our preference. We would like to honor our agreement.
The contract between Tennium and the City of Nice would have been “broken”, the municipality would no longer wish to financially support the event…
If the commitment is over five years, the budget is voted on each year. Obviously, Nice’s help is very important and I know that the mayor is attached to high-level sport. The visibility offered to the city is also considerable with broadcast in 130 countries for 30 million spectators. From what I understand, these reluctances come above all from the event budget allocated for 2024. It is already very significant due to the arrival of the Tour de France. Next year, we’ll see.
These athletes who were scheduled
“The players who signed up for this year’s event have been informed and we look forward to welcoming them to the French Riviera next year.” David Haggerty, president of the International Tennis Federation, hopes that the high-flying cast can be retained for 2025. More than a year in advance, nothing is won.
Here are some big names who were due to parade this summer on the clay courts of the Côte d’Azur: for men, world number 2, Carlos Alcaraz, already present for the 2023 edition, Cameron Norrie (28th), Arthur Fils (43rd); for women, Donna Vekic (36th), the winner of the tournament last year, Paula Badosa (73rd) and Alizé Cornet (104th).
