The Nice Open 2012

The Nice Open will this year take place from the 20th to 26th May

Much to the delight of tennis fanatics across the region, preparations for the third edition of the Nice Open, taking place between the 20th and 26th May, are already underway. Nice Lawn Tennis club has certainly gone all out to make it a productive and exhilarating tournament, spending a budget of 2.7 million euros as well as employing 250 employees for the week including stewardesses, ushers, auditors, referees, security guards and cleaners.

"It's a lot of money and worry for just a week," admitted co-director Pierre Albixech to France's Metro newspaper. "But it's a global event, putting the spotlight on Nice." 

Among the 28 competitors lined-up to compete on the outdoor clay courts of Nice Lawn Tennis club are the French favourite Gilles Simon, new top ranked player in the United States John Isner as well as professional Spanish player Nicolas Almagro. 

This year, the tournament is also introducing for the first time a series of evening matches on Monday to Thursday from 7.30pm. Additionally, an autograph session is scheduled and fans will have the chance to interact with the professionals. 

The club have also announced an initiative to become environmentally conscience, hoping to reduce the negative impact the influx of tourists will have on the local environment. In an effort to save energy, the tournament will be offering free parking for Auto bleu holders, it has launched a website to organise car sharing, and it will be utilising a range of recyclable material. 

The Nice Open is one of the 60 tournaments of the ATP World Tour. Last year, the event welcomed over 24,150 spectators and 40 different television channels to broadcast the event. 

Tickets for the matches are priced between 10 to 50 euros and can be ordered by calling 04 91 05 58 52 or emailing opendenice@digitick.com. For further for more information, visit www.opennicecotedazur.com

Katie Williams