”Lebron wanted to have show-up money”
America won the tournament in easy style when the first two days of the tournament were rained out. Now Padel Alto's sister site reveals that America vs. Europe will lose the millions, Euro Finance founder and CEO Anders Jarlskog says.
Despite a really tough week for America vs. Europe, organizers Euro Finans, Anders Jarlskog, and Reza Dehesjoo - perhaps the two most important people for the existence of the competition - are neither grumpy nor tired when PadelDirekt met them just over an hour after Team America won the prize cheque.
— It was nice to finish on top with a match in the sun and a great atmosphere in the stadium, says Tournament Director Reza Dehesjoo.
How have you experienced this week with all the rain cancellations and postponed games?
— Of course, it's been a bit stressful at times. Often, you have to make quick decisions... but there are always little hiccups when you're working on this, so you're a little prepared.
The organization behind the Euro Finans Invitational (played Monday to Wednesday) and America vs. Europe (Thursday to Sunday) had faced a lot of criticism from viewers and audiences as there was no plan B when the rain turned out to last all week.
The classic tennis arena in Båstad has no form of preparedness for rain - nor was there any protection for the temporary padel court's artificial grass.
— Our first plan was to book an arena parallel with this one, for example, Halmstad Arena or Helsingborg Arena. To have it as a backup, we really want to be outdoors, but then we could have had an extra day where we played indoors, says Reza Dehesjoo and continues.
— That was the plan from the start, but audience restrictions put an end to it. We were only able to admit 600 people indoors, and we were allowed to sell just over 1200 tickets. Then we can't just change the arena, because we can't just select 600 of those who have bought tickets.
Euro Finans has reached an agreement whereby America vs. Europe will be played in Sweden for a total of four consecutive years. Next summer, the organizers want to return to Båstad, but then they will present a backup solution.
There is also another dream scenario:
—Yes, the idea is that the competition will be held in Sweden, and the very best thing would be to put a roof over the center court when the weather is bad.
Has there been any talk of installing this at Båstad Tennis Stadium?
— Yes, I think it has. It would be an interesting solution if it can be done. But I must say that everyone I have met here, from players to spectators, has handled the weather situation very well. It feels like everyone understands that it didn't turn out the way we planned. It was so nice now after the last game when Bela brought me his biography, which he said and gave to me as a thank you for the event. But Bela is Bela...
How do you view the criticism you have received regarding lack of communication? Those who have not been here in Båstad have found it difficult to find information and updates on the game schedule.
— Communication has been lacking because there have been so many changes all the time. That's how it is. We can do better there. We are working feverishly to update all channels. We should perhaps be clearer about where we communicate, on which platform you can find the information.
What about refunds for matches not played on Thursday and Friday?
— Our policy is that a full match must be played and that only happened on Thursday. So anyone who asks for a refund for Thursday will get it.
Euro Finance founder and CEO Anders Jarlskog hope that many people will choose not to ask for repayment. Of course, not keeping the ticket revenue for the three days when over 1000 tickets were sold makes the financial blow even greater.
— The budget for America vs. Europe was seven million, and because of the audience restrictions, it will be a loss of at least two million, Anders Jarlskog says.
Had they been allowed and managed to fill the entire arena in Båstad, one can roughly calculate 4000 spectators per day and about 600 SEK per day ticket.
— With full stands, the organizers can make a profit. But we were told that we at least had a bigger crowd here during the padel week than they had at the tennis week earlier this summer. So, of course, it's fun. After all, it's the first time we're doing this.
Everyone he has spoken to has been pleased in recent days, despite the weather. And the attendance has remained relatively steady above 1000 spectators during the rainless hours.
— The players think it was a great event and want to come back next year. That's the most important thing so that we can build on this in the coming years. Of course, not everything will be perfect the first time, but it's great that we've got the fight between the continents going, and the players really love playing in these teams. They feel great pride.
Why wasn't world champion Juan Lebron in the European team?
— Lebron wanted to have show-up money. Payment for coming here. We refused to give it to him. He was the only one who wasn't happy that we were offering bigger prize money to the winners here in Båstad than what is earned by taking a WPT title... Everyone here is playing for the team. Lebron is playing only for himself.
