Spotlight on Seville: An historic stop on the ATP Challenger Tour

A trip to Seville is always worthwhile. The city’s iconic landmarks, the magnificent cathedral with its famous Giralda bell tower and the Royal Alcázar Palace, are must-see attractions. But for a truly special experience that blends top-level tennis with local culture, a visit to the Copa Sevilla is essential.

First held in 1991, the tournament is one of the oldest events on the ATP Challenger Tour. Its night sessions under floodlight create a striking backdrop at the more than 90-year-old Real Club de Tenis Betis, offering an unforgettable setting to enjoy world-class tennis. The energy of Spain’s fourth-largest city and the charm of Andalusia as a whole are reflected in the tournament’s unique character.

For years, a distinctive yellow surface known as Albero was a trademark of the event, connecting it with Spanish tradition and creating countless memorable moments — from Rafael Nadal’s Challenger debut in 2001 to the titles claimed by then-17-year-olds Casper Ruud and Félix Auger-Aliassime in 2016 and 2017.

A Surface Steeped in History

Yellow has deep roots in Spanish culture, appearing in the national flag and in the country’s many bullfighting arenas. The Albero at Real Club de Tenis Betis dated back to the club’s beginnings in the 1920s and posed a distinctive challenge for players on tour.

“There’s less sand on the court, which makes it a bit faster overall,” said Frenchman Hugo Gaston after his first experience on the surface two years ago.

“It might take a moment to adjust, but in terms of play it’s quite similar to traditional clay courts,” added Sweden’s Elias Ymer.

“This event is part of the history of Spanish tennis with a great tradition. The tournament is very popular. That makes us proud, but also gives us the drive to keep improving,” explained former tournament director Santiago Pérez Romero.

That drive eventually led to the end of an era. Broadcasters had long complained that the yellow court made the yellow ball hard to follow on television. Rising maintenance costs also played a role in the decision to switch to Europe’s more standard red clay in 2024.

New Clay, New Champion

Last week saw the 62nd edition of the Copa Sevilla played on red clay for the second time. How do players feel about the change?

“I’ve played on both surfaces and reached the second round both times,” said Spain’s Carlos López Montagud. “It is different. On Albero the balls bounced higher, and it was a bit more slippery on the baseline. You also had to adjust your eyes to the surface. Overall, red clay is definitely the better court.”

The most successful player in the tournament’s history is Roberto Carballés Baena. The 32-year-old Spaniard, born in Tenerife but based in Granada, captured the Copa Sevilla title three years in a row from 2022 to 2024. “I didn’t enjoy playing in Seville because of the unique Albero, but because of the people who make this tournament so special,” he said.

With the three-time champion sidelined by injury this year, Peruvian youngster Ignacio Buse seized his chance and was crowned the new champion. His triumph not only marks another milestone in his promising career but also ensures that the vibrant story of the Copa Sevilla will continue to unfold - now on red clay.