Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

The Valencia Open is running into increasing problems, first having to downgrade itself from a 500 to 250 and now also move facilities because of poor conditions.

The tournament had established itself at the picturesque Agora, with its distinctive domed stadium, for six years. However, the city building, which was constructed by the local government for a controversial 90 million Euros, currently has broken windows and plumbing problems , which mean the site cannot be used for this month’s tournament.

The event will be played in a temporary stadium being constructed with 3,500 seats, about half of the Agora. The tournament wants to return to its original location once the problems are fixed.

“Despite the difficulties we have encountered this time, we have challenged for a great tournament for fans with players playing their maximum level on court and a variety of ticket prices,” said tournament director and former No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero.

There will be free entry to the grounds, allowing access to a park and concessions.

Valencia had previously also experienced financial issues.  Faced with funding cuts in the recession-affected area, the tournament was facing being shut down until a deal was made to exchange its 500 status with the ATP Vienna tournament.

The tournament is scheduled to have eight of the top 30, including Valencia’s David Ferrer as well as Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez, Nick Kyrgios, Fabio Fognini and others. There will be 537,000 Euros in prize money as a 250 event.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.