French Tennis Federation President Jean Gachassin announced on Friday that the first round of the Davis Coup, March 4-6 against Canada, “will be played in Guadeloupe at the Vélodrome Amédée-Détraux de Baie-Mahault on a clay court,” according to L’ÉQUIPE. Gachassin called it a “historic moment,” and thanked French captain “Yannick Noah and the players, who were behind this initiative.” He said, “The court, bleachers, and lights will need to be built, also 400 tons of clay will need to be shipped in by boat.” In total, the project will cost €1.5M ($1.6M), of which €1M ($1.1M) (€500,000 ($544,000) for the stadium construction, €500,000 for the clay transport) will be “supported by local government,” the Guadeloupe Regional Council (L’ÉQUIPE, 12/4). The AFP reported following the announcement by Gachassin, the Guadeloupe Regional Council “assured that it was financially capable of responding.” Region President Victorin Lurel said, “We are in the position to ensure the financing of this event.” Lurel assured that he will not “have a tax increase.” Lurel: “In regards to the media coverage, this will be a commitment with a guaranteed return on investment” (AFP, 12/4).
