We are very pleased with how ticket sales are going,
said Conchita Martínez, director of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals.
Conchita Martínez, the tournament director, emphasized that the event, which will take place at the José María Martín Carpena Pavilion in Málaga from November 13 to 20, will be “a celebration of Tennis”. She highlighted that ticket sales are “going phenomenally”, with the venue being “completely full” for the first day and occupancy rates soaring to 90%.
“Ticket sales are going exceptionally well. Tomorrow we have a full crowd. For two sessions, we’re at 90% occupancy. And for Friday, when Spain will play, if they win, there are very few tickets left. We are delighted with how the sales are progressing,” Conchita assured during the EFE Sport Business Forum ‘Málaga and Sports Tourism: The Model of the Billie Jean King Cup’.
Martínez praised the commitment of the Junta de Andalucía to make this event “a tennis festival”.
“It’s a long process that is managed by the ITF and Billie Jean. Alongside the Junta de Andalucía, there have been numerous discussions. Many requirements are needed. We have the support of the Junta, which is crucial. The matches had to be held indoors, using the same balls and conditions as the Finals currently being contested… and the city had to be enthusiastic about hosting the competition. The Junta de Andalucía opted to hold the Billie Jean King Cup and their support is evident. Having the Billie Jean King Cup here alongside the Davis Cup is going to be a fantastic celebration of tennis. Málaga is spectacular for everyone,” she emphasized.
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“My wish is for the stands to be overflowing. I want it to be a tennis party. I hope that people appreciate how difficult it is to have these two competitions in Málaga and come out to support us,” she continued.
“The crowd needs to rally behind the players. There will also be Polish supporters making noise. It’s a privilege to play in Spain, and we must use that to encourage the public to support their team, which is Spain; it will help the players immensely,” she added.
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During the event, moderated by the director of Sports at the EFE Agency, Luis Villarejo, and attended by former tennis player Garbiñe Muguruza and the president of Unicaja Málaga, Antonio Jesús López Nieto, Conchita and Garbiñe reunited after years of working together and following Muguruza’s announcement of her retirement last April.
“I’ve known Garbiñe for many years, and we have a very close relationship. We are best friends. We’ve gone through several phases, starting when I met her as she began her professional career and I was the captain of the Fed Cup. We’ve had many conversations, and as a coach, there are many experiences to share. I am fortunate to have gone through those moments before she did. That experience can help advise her so that she doesn’t make the mistakes I did,” Conchita Martínez expressed.
“Stepping away from competition is not easy. It is experienced in different ways, depending on the individual. In Garbiñe’s case, we discussed it closely and made that decision—gradually moving away from professional tennis,” she added.
Regarding this new chapter in her life, Conchita highlighted the importance of networking during a sports career.
“I love hearing that Garbiñe is following in my footsteps (she jokes). Commentating on matches… Networking is crucial. Perhaps when you start playing, you don’t pay much attention to it because you focus on what works best for you and conserve your energy for competition, but gradually, you realize its importance for future years,” she said.
Furthermore, the current director of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals stressed the significance of having players among the best in the world, like Garbiñe Muguruza and currently Paula Badosa, for the growth of women’s tennis.
“It’s very important to have a player who leads the way. Having that figure empowers others to think, ‘Why not me too?’ We have great players, and results are coming in. Jessica Bouzas has played very well, and Sara Sorribes is a natural fighter. It’s important to have a standard-bearer, as that will help elevate the rankings of those who follow,” she pointed out.
In a sport like tennis, where technology plays a crucial role, the Billie Jean King Cup will see players sitting in ‘YouTuber-style’ chairs with screens displaying real-time statistics.
“This is a great innovation,” remarks Conchita Martínez, who reflects on how technology aids players.
“Statistics are extensively worked on. There are companies that analyze all matches and can, for example, tell you the percentage of serves to each side. What I spend three hours preparing for a match can be simplified because of technology. You don’t need to rely 100% on it; we are not robots, but it’s miles ahead of what was available before,” she noted.
Finally, she praised two historical figures in tennis. The first is Billie Jean King, after whom the tournament is named, who was a pioneer in the fight for equality in tennis.
“You learn a lot from her. She has such a positive energy. She is a fighter for equality. There’s still much to be done, but having a pioneering figure advocating for future generations to achieve prize equality, like now, where in the final rounds there is equality with the Davis Cup, is invaluable,” she declared.
She also highlighted Rafa Nadal, who will retire from professional tennis at the Davis Cup, also hosted in Málaga.
“I’ve been lucky to follow him since he started on the circuit. First as a teammate. I’ve also commented and narrated many of his matches. With him during the Davis Cup and Olympics, as a captain and selector. He has inspired us all and serves as a role model for everyone in terms of work ethic, professionalism, and resilience in the face of adversity… What more can you say about Rafa? He is retiring, but that’s the circle of life. He now has a life ahead filled with opportunities, still connected to tennis. We are going to have Rafa for a long time,” she said.
