Prominent Spanish Figures On Hand for Venue Opening

Three of Spain's most prominent figures were on hand on Thursday, April 30, to open La Caja Mágica (The Magic Box), where the Mutua Madrileña Madrid Open will take place in just over a week, from May 8 to 17.

Spanish Prime Minister José Luís Rodríguez Zapatero, Esperanza Aguirre of the Madrid Regional Government and Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz Gallardón were all present for the opening of the prestigious tournament's new venue at a special ceremony. The Olympic site, designed by French architect Dominique Perrault, includes three main stadiums with a capacity for 12,500, 3,500 and 2,500 people. The three main courts also have retractable covers to allow play in rainy conditions.

The International Olympic Committee will visit the Spanish capital on May 6 to evaluate its candidacy to organize the Olympic Games in 2016.

La Caja Mágica will be officially opened on May 8, amidst a host of special events and surprises, including a Lenny Kravitz concert, before the best tennis players in the world - male and female - descend on the spectacular new venue to fight for ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour championship glory.

The tournament is supported by Mutua Madrileña and the Municipality of Madrid, as well as important sponsors such as Estrella Damm, Lexus, Air Europa, Rolex, L'Oreal París, Metro, Schweppes, Ricoh, Adecco ABC, Marca, Dunlop and Head.

This won't be the first time Madrid hosts the stars of the Tour. The Madrid Open was a lead-up tournament a week before the French Open through 2003, and for back-to-back years in 2006 and 2007 the Spanish capital was home to the prestigious season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships.