JOÃO SOUSA WILL RETURN TO THE MILLENNIUM ESTORIL OPEN WITH A RENEWED AMBITION - “I'LL GO WITH EVERYTHING!”

Best Portuguese tennis player ever

Perennial Portuguese number one João Sousa has been announced as the first name for the 2020 Millennium Estoril Open — the ATP Tour event promoted by 3LOVE and scheduled to take place at the Clube de Ténis do Estoril between the 25th of April and the 3rd of May. The Guimarães native finished his seventh consecutive season in the top 100 last year and is eager to replicate in 2020 the form that led him to win the title before his countrymen in 2018.

“I’ll give it all I can!”, says João Sousa. “I play to win in every tournament, but there’s no doubt the Millennium Estoril Open is very special. There is a different feel to it and a special motivation. Plus, it’s a tournament that brings many great memories, I really feel at home because throughout the year I don’t have the chance to feel the love of the Portuguese public. After winning the title it became even more special, a lot of emotions come to mind. When I won back in 2018 it was really special, such an intense week… getting on court to play the final, the moment victory was sealed, listening to the national anthem… everything what went on before and after the final is stuck in my memory”.

Of course, Portugal’s number one is aware of how difficult it will be to win a second time at the Clube de Ténis do Estoril — considering the level of the draw and the players usually competing each year in the Millennium Estoril Open. “The fact that I have won it previously doesn’t make it easier. It’s always difficult to win a tournament, at home or away. The motivation and the will are always there. Each time I play the tournament I try to give my best and be as prepared as I possible can to be able to win”.

Regarding the announcement of the 2018 champion participating in this years’ edition, João Zilhão — the tournament director — says. “It’s always great to have champions of the past competing, but in the case of João Sousa the pleasure is doubled he is the only Portuguese player to have won the biggest Portuguese tennis tournament. João Sousa has been an extraordinary ambassador of the Millennium Estoril Open  since day one and his win in 2018 is one of the most emotional moments I have lived in my life and a moment that is engraved forever in the history of Portuguese tennis. We know for a fact that the Portuguese public will fill the stadium to support João and he also knows that the fans support is an important advantage that could make the difference in his favour”.

After playing the Masters 1000 events in March at Indian Wells and Miami, João Sousa will start the clay court season at the Masters 1000 Monte-Carlo and then Barcelona right before playing the Millennium Estoril Open. The Portuguese number one will also play the Madrid and Rome Masters 1000 and in Geneva before concluding the traditional European clay court swing at Roland Garros.

João Sousa schedule for the first semester of 2020:

13 – 19 jan: Auckland ATP 250
20 jan – 2 feb: Australian Open
3 – 9 feb: Montpellier ATP 250
10 – 16 feb:Rotterdam ATP 500
17 – 23 feb: Marseille ATP 250
24 feb – 1 mar: Dubai ATP 500
6 – 7 mar:Davis Cup (Lituânia)
12 – 22 mar: Indian Wells ATP 1000
25 mar – 5 apr: Miami ATP 1000
12 – 19 apr: Monte Carlo ATP 1000
20 – 26 apr: Barcelona ATP 500
25 apr – 3 may: Millennium Estoril Open ATP 250
3 – 9 may: Madrid ATP 1000
10 – 16 may: Roma ATP 1000
17 – 23 may: Genéve ATP 250
24 may – 7 jun: Roland Garros

The Millennium Estoril Open will run from April 25 until May 3 and tickets are already on sale, exclusively at www.blueticket.pt.