BTRUSSIA: Tell us about the upcoming tournament: What innovations? Any surprises for players and spectators?
Octavio Santana: The OPEN Gran Canaria ITF Beachtennis Tour 2016 is held for the eighth edition, already in 2015 Grade 1. This time, the main innovation is the category, because for the first time in the ITF Beachtennis Tour 2016, will be $ 15,000 + H, which is making very important players and very varied places are enrolling. All players will enjoy the highest competition Beachtennis worldwide in leading cadres and in previous phases, but also eliminated in the first round, will play a consolation tournament. In addition, the run will be mixed (April 28) and singles (26 and 27 April). ITF Tournament day $ 15,000 + H will support service for players (water, isotonic drinks, fruit, pasta, ...), also taking Saturday night a party for all participants. We want to have a few days with lots of atmosphere Beach Tennis and celebration.
BTRUSSIA: What is the main thing about a place where the tournament will be held? BT players usually don’t have much time for visiting attractions as tourists, so where would you recommend to go and what to see the first? What players could bring from Canarian Islands (except trophies, of course)?
Octavio Santana: The tournament will be played on the beach of Las Canteras in the city of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a beautiful beach in the capital of the island of Gran Canaria, which in turn is one of the 7 Canary Islands (Spain), located south of Europe, near the western coast of Africa contiente. Climate, beaches and people are natural attractions of the Canary Islands. In the short time the players or the public who come from elsewhere to this tournament can have can enjoy the great beach walk of Las Canteras, arriving at the other end to the spectacular auditorium Alfredo Kraus. You can also visit the old part of the city, Vegueta, for example. If you have time to explore the island of Gran Canaria, I advise several places that will not forget for its beauty (with a rental car): Dunes of Maspalomas, Puerto de Mogan, Roque Nublo, Teror, Caldera de Bandama etc.
BTRUSSIA: Tell us about the entry list of participants, who are the favourites of the tournament?
Octavio Santana: There is still a month before the tournament, but we already have confirmed both the men and women to the number one ITF Beachtennis Tour, as well as almost all TOP 10 circuit: Michele Cappelletti, Alessandro Calbucci, Luca Cramarossa, Matteo Mariguella , Antomi Ramos (from Gran Canaria), Maraike Biglmaier, Patricia Diaz, Giulia Gasparri, Eva D'Elia, Sofia Cimatti, Federica Bacchetta, Flaminia Daina, Veronica Visani, Hoarau sisters…
BTRUSSIA: As organizer, what do you think about innovations in the ITF Beach Tennis?
Octavio Santana: Advances are being made in the Bechtennis, think they're on track and we have to keep doing more coordination between ITF tournament organizers, players, public, sponsors ... All this trying to be a sport increasingly popular worldwide and without forgetting that must remain accessible to all and equally, regardless of age, gender and the economy, for example.
BTRUSSIA: Tell us about beach tennis in your area: how it started, are there any schools of beach tennis, do you have junior beach tennis?
Octavio Santana: In Gran Canaria has been practiced Beachtennis approximately 10 years ago, taking to School Beach Tennis ApPROBA as a reference, where more and more children, youth and adults know and practice this sport, convinced in which they are getting results, mainly in the convinced that the Tennis Beach helps people to be happy.
BTRUSSIA: Spanish beach tennis is the national team: Ramos, Rodrigues, Eskandell and Sitja, or you have new strong players who can compete with the world stars?
Octavio Santana: These four players are the most important references, as well as others, for example, the canaries Saulo Tejada, Alejandro Hernandez, Grimanesa Santana, Carolina Miranda and Omayra Farias, with the catalans Alba Gamell and Martí Magriñá and other very good players who continue to rise in the ITF Ranking and many young hopefuls who see and beach tennis as a passion.