The Madrid Masters 1000 has been canceled due to the coronavirus, but a virtual edition of the tournament takes place from Monday to Thursday via the video game Tennis World Tour. On the bill: Rafael Nadal, Lucas Pouille, or Fiona Ferro. Gaël Monfils had to withdraw.

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After F1, tennis. Usually, at this time of year, fans prepare for Roland Garros, but due to the health crisis linked to the coronavirus, the tournament will only be held at the end of September. To keep the flame alive, 16 players and 16 professional players meet on Monday for the Madrid virtual tournament, an extraordinary competition on PlayStation, via the game Tennis World Tour .

Hold on to your hats! Here are four more players who have confirmed their participation in the #MMOPEN Virtual Pro! @RafaelNadal, @kikibertens, @JohnIsner and @fioferro will square off virtually in a couple of weeks! # PlayAtHomepic.twitter.com / zuCDIOl3ZM

- #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 11, 2020

"A great idea"

Several professional players have responded to compete. Among them, the Spanish Rafael Nadal, the Scottish Andy Murray, but also French, including Lucas Pouille and the young Fiona Ferro, very proud to try the experience. "It's not common, especially for me, but I think it's a great idea," she enthuses.

The player, 53rd in the world in the WTA ranking, is not used to video games. For the past two weeks, she has been training an hour a day in front of her boyfriend and her progress has been meteoric. "I try to train with him, but it is rather I who give him advice because I have become stronger," she laughs.

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Monfils package ...

The matches are virtual, but the rage to win is real. If Fiona Ferro says she already wanted to break her controller, she ensures that it still works. "I'm almost more nervous on the console than on the tennis court," said the young player.

Gaël Monfils was also to participate in the tournament. But Le Parisien announced its package for the Madrid tournament on Sunday due to rights issues between streaming platforms, while the player launched his Twitch channel at the start of the confinement.

... for questions of rights

"Sorry, but I will not be able to participate in the virtual Madrid tournament due to rights issues between the streaming platforms," ​​he wrote on Twitter. "I wish the best for all the players and hope to be able to play next time."

Sadly I will not be able to participate in the Virtual Mutua Madrid Open due to conflicting rights between streaming platforms. I wish all the best to all players and I hope to be able to play next time.

- Gael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils) April 26, 2020

The virtual tournament is scheduled to last four days, Monday through Thursday. Last positive point of this competition by interposed screens: the weather is not likely to disturb the meetings.