Ion Tiriac: ‘Equal prize money? Yes if the economic results are the same’

Interviewed by El Mundo, Ion Tiriac, tournament director of the Mutua Madrid Open director, spoke about the evolution the tournament has had in terms of popolarity and interest since it began in 2002.

‘In 2002, 15 years ago, with all respect, the Spaniards did not know what Madrid tournament was. It was erroneously compared with Barcelona. Also, there were a series of players who were just known: Feliciano, Nadal and Verdasco, all were kids, a new generation.” Tiriac also shared his thoughts about one of the finalists of the first edition of the tournament, when it was played on hard court. Jiri Novak retired without entering the court against Andre Agassi. ‘Novak, after that I have never seen him. He reached his first final of a tournament in this category. And 20 minutes before he says, “I cannot, my leg hurts,” I am from another generation, at my time I do not remember just one player who did …

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