Hanseatic Republics
Establishing Nation
You must be registered for see images
The Zulia-Santander Open is held annually at Embarcadero Paredes C.T. in Embarcadero, Monterrey. It is the premier clay court tennis tournament in the world and second annual Grand Slam of the year, held usually in between June and July. It is one of the largest events in tennis and the most watched Monterrey based event in Europe. Due to the slower playing surface that clay courts present, coupled with the five-set men's singles matches without tiebreakers, the event is widely considered to be one of the most physically demanding tennis tournaments on the tour.
Tennis was pioneered in Monterrey by Augustin Diaz (A Frescanian scholar who spent time in Cantigny and Germania) which led to the creation of several tennis clubs and several tennis legends in Monterrey. This would lead to his creation of Santander's Cup, a cup that would earn it's namesake by staying in Santander as foreign nationals struggled to compete on the clay courts. Challengers would win the cup, but have to hand it over to the next winner, when they were challenged. Queues for challenges resulted in the creation of the yearly open in 1906 and the engraving of names on the cup. In total there are currently five Santander's cups, as each cup maintains 25 names. In 1927, winners desired to maintain a keepsake for winning, as a year later they'd often have to cede the cup to the next winner. A common collection piece for participants was a silver chalice during the open formal dinner. This lead to the Zuliano Golden Chalice for first time winners. Participants to this day, keep the silver chalice they use during the formal. Those who won twice, won a silver plate. Four time winners a golden plate. Wins afterwards only resulted in more golden plates. Only two players have ever won a golden plate. Both have won the golden plate twice. Together the awards are referred to as Santander's Cup, Plates and Chalice. Some have suggested a desire to collect "Santander's Kitchen Cabinet" in winning all possible trophies at the open.
This year's Open begins on July 9th. Athletes must still declare their participation, despite previous play this season's tour in other opens.
Current Men's World Rankings 1.) Markus Lindbäck (SUI) 2.) Michael Merdes (FRA) 3.) Dorin Mohailov (ALT) 4.) Issac Hare (HAV) 5.) Marmaduke Carlile (ENG) 6.) Archie Riddick (CAN) 7.) Mozes Fabo (BOL) 8.) Jørgen Strand (DAN) | Current Women's World Rankings 1.) Claire Meadows (CAN) 2.) Ilena Lukashenko (ALT) 3.) Antonia Jordansson (SUI) 4.) Ada Russell (ENG) 5.) Benedikte Kristansen (DAN) 6.) Sarah Penter (FRA) 7.) Zoe Hunter (HAV) 8.) Dorina Barbara (BOL) |
Applications to join must be finished before July 9th at 12:00 (Implarian Standard Time Zone).
Ex.
Markus Lindbäck (SUI - Götarike) —Men's Singles
Antonia Jordansson (SUI - Götarike) —Women's Singles