Kamel Chibli: “To see the best ATP 250 tournament in France go abroad would have been a terrible failure” after the rescue of the Open Sud de France

L'Open Sud de France va continuer d'être à Montpellier pour les trois prochaines années. Midi Libre – Alexandre Dimou

After the announcement of the rescue of the Open Sud de France in Montpellier, thanks to the successful fundraising round by the Occitanie Region, its vice-president Kamel Chibli is delighted to have had ' quot;listening" public and private partners, notably the Hérault Department and the Pays de l’Or Agglomeration.

Why it was important to save the Open Sud de France ?

It was important because it has existed for 14 years, and Georges Frêche had done everything to ensure that there was a tournament on the Arena site. This tournament has grown since its beginning and has continued to progress. We are a region in which tennis is one of the most practiced sports, the size of volunteers, clubs… It is the unmissable event of the territory, and above all we bring world tennis to the closer to the citizens of our region, department and city.

Clearly, for me it was essential. Economically, it has an impact, close to ten million euros on the territory. We might as well say that in a period where we are talking about purchasing power and work… There are hundreds of people working thanks to the tournament. For the image of the territory too, with more than 125 countries around the world where the tournament is broadcast. 

There must be pride in having managed to save all that ? 

A lot of pride and emotion yes. In politics, we are judged on our ability to fight. This one was a big one because the delta was huge to find. Even though it took a lot of energy, people responded. I was on the verge of tears during the announcement at the Arena, thinking of all the volunteers of a certain age who asked us to save the tournament because it was important for them to have an event that brings them together, unites them. I can tell you that it increased my energy tenfold.

It's a lot of personal satisfaction, we're passing through as an elected official, we're not there forever and we're judged on our ability to do the job we're supposed to do. necessary for the interest of sport. It's a time when we talk about the Olympic and Paralympic Games. There we manage to bring the world of tennis closer to the little ball collectors, so it's huge. When we see Arthur Cazaux… Richard Gasquet who opened the way…

We can clearly see that today we are playing the French team card, with our talented and athletic young people. It made so much sense to fight for all of this. It was complicated but we got there. And the ecosystem of the Montpellier, Hérault and Occitan territories mobilized, there was great solidarity, and it's very touching. 

How do you explain the end of subsidies from the Metropolis ?

Honestly, I don't even want to comment anymore. The observation is that we were alone in taking up the challenge and that we were lucky enough to listen to partners. I won't put another piece on this, I don't want to recreate tensions, it's useless.

What I remember today is that we did everything to have strong partners to guarantee the sustainability of the tournament. Everyone looks in the mirror in the morning, I don't want to judge. I don't want to attack anyone, everyone is free to make their political choices. As has been said, governing is choosing and I chose to perpetuate the tournament.

Who are the partners who helped save the tournament ?

I can't give precise figures. Three quarters of the gap is filled by our public partners. And we have a private sector behind it. Today, if we are committed it is because we have a clear commitment from the Department of Hérault and the Agglomeration of Country of Gold, on a significant amount for them.

Kléber Mesquida first and Stéphan Rossignol were there. They were up to the challenge, they know what the tournament represents for tennis licensees and all the kids in the region. If it hadn't been for the Department, it would have been almost impossible, we have to be honest. We can consider that he largely contributed to saving the tournament.

What was the most difficult part of this rescue attempt ? 

The stress and responsibility you carry. That of a world ATP tournament, with thousands of volunteers impatiently waiting to know if they will be able to come back, bring back their club. Companies that work on the tournament as well. So the terrible pressure to say to yourself, it may not work, given the overall amount of the operation (1.2 million euros).

In the end, the arguments were there. The sporting world, businesses, myself with the total confidence of the President, we united. The Region could not fill the delta because it would not be good management otherwise. If it hadn't worked, it would have been the biggest failure of my eight years in office and of my delegation.

To see the biggest ATP 250 tournament in France go abroad would have been a terrible failure. I was afraid because until the last moment it was very complicated to validate… But it showed that the event was unanimous. So it's real breathing. I'm happy to have been the ambassador of this heavy task, sometimes it doesn't end well. There it ends well.

Stéphan Rossignol: “

Stéphan Rossignol, president of the Agglomeration of Pays de l'Or : "We gaveé agreement in principle. Kamel Chibli asked us for the roundtable and to save the Open Sud de France. Le Pays de l'Or is a shareholder of Occitanie Events and I have a seat there. The Land of Gold hosts the headquarters of the League of Occitanie, in addition to that of Balma. La Grande-Motte is an important tennis location. I saw a major competition and saw how it took its place in the tennis calendar. So I asked for help. the community office of the agglomeration, to be a partner of this tournament from 2025 until the following three years.

Tennis is a unifying sport, there are many young people in our tennis clubs, it is one of the most popular sports. There was this young Cazaux who left his mark. the sports column in recent weeks, even if the result was not what was hoped for. &agrav; l'Open. He is a rising star in French and local tennis. It was therefore important that this tournament did not go elsewhere, after a few years on Raultais soil. And à from the moment that the Department is committed to with the Region, and that we are at the headquarters of Occitanie Events… So we will be partners, we will set the rules. We will be financing this tournament."