If you haven’t managed to secure Davis Cup tickets in Bologna, there’s an alternative just 20 minutes from Florence. Polisportiva Curiel sports club in the pretty town of Pontassieve is hosting a free-entry top-tier tennis and padel tournament from September 5 to 15.
Curiel Open Tennis & Padel
Following the success of last year’s tournament, the Curiel Open Tennis & Padel is back with top players from all over Italy thanks to sponsorships by Banca di Credito Cooperativo di Pontassieve, Generali – Agenzia di Pontassieve and Fibbi Samuele. Valerio Perruzza from Rome will be the number 1 seed (ranked 2.1 and number 937 in the world), followed by Florentine Daniele Capecchi, former number 473 in the world and Tuscans Filippo Alberti, Mattia Nannelli and Gianluca Acquaroli. Although he has dropped in the rankings, Adelchi Virgili also stands out, one of the brightest tennis talents of the last decade, who has dialled down his play, but cannot resist playing on the courts in Pontassieve, with which he has a special bond.
Community events
In addition to the tennis and padel playing, the Curiel Open will be at the center of a rich calendar of side events with free admission. Practically every night of the tournaments will be enriched by a community event. On Thursday, September 5, former world top 300 tennis player and head of the tennis school at Match Ball Country Club, Antonio Padovani talks about his book Tennis Club Grand Slam in conversation with The Florentine’s Helen Farrell. Put on your dancing shoes on Saturday 7 for a 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s disco revival night, while on September 10 the topic turns more serious with a talk show-style evening on the issue of body positivity. September 11 includes a Malenchini wine tasting and September 12 offers fried food and sparkling wine. The events come to a close with the tennis semifinals on September 13 with a Bollywood night featuring Indian street food by Nura.
