On May 23, an event took place in Chisinau that will, without exaggeration, go down in the history of Moldovan sports – the official opening of the new National Tennis Center in Satul For this day ,
central stands for over 1,000 spectators were specially constructed at the complex, and the event itself turned into not just an opening ceremony, but a large-scale tennis show featuring world stars and international guests. The organizers were
seriously concerned about the vagaries of the weather—the forecast called for rain and thunderstorms. A comprehensive Plan B was prepared in case of a downpour: additional stands were installed inside the indoor complex in advance, allowing the event to be moved indoors without losing the atmosphere or spectator seating. But the weather ultimately provided a perfect day and evening—rain spared Chisinau.
The event began with a press conference, at which the organizers officially introduced the participants of the exhibition match, announced the opening of the National Tennis Center, and shared the main details of the ATP Challenger. Moldova Open , which will begin immediately after the opening ceremony. Guests were shown the concept of the new complex, learned about the infrastructure capabilities, the development of tennis in Moldova, and the tournament’s significance for the country. Special attention was paid to the fact that the new center will host a major international ATP Challenger tournament in its first season , and the opening itself will be one of the largest sporting events of the year in Moldova.
The first part of the opening took place in the indoor courts area, where the official ribbon -cutting ceremony took place. The stands were fully booked. Representatives of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and Tennis were present among the guests. Europe , international delegations, and ITF Development Program Manager Stuart Hutchinson and the President of Tennis Europe Henrik Thorsøe Pedersen .
The central figure of the event was the President of the Moldovan Tennis Federation , Cheslav Chukhriy is the man responsible for bringing the National Tennis Center project to fruition. His long-standing support for tennis, investments, and personal involvement made it possible for a complex of this caliber to be built in the country.
After the official opening, spectators moved to the central clay court of the new complex. The surface of the central stadium and all six outdoor courts is of the highest quality and has already received positive reviews from players and experts. Incidentally, the day before, the ITF issued an official certificate confirming the complex meets all specifications. This will allow it to host tournaments of the highest caliber.
The highlight of the evening was an exhibition match featuring Grand Slam champions Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro , as well as the best Moldovan tennis players – Radu Albot and young Moldovan tennis player Liya Belibova .
Halep played doubles with Albot , and Del Potro vs. Belibova . The match was informal, emotional, and truly spectacular. But the main surprise of the evening was the unexpected appearance on court of Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu , who came out in full tennis gear and played several games with Juan Martin del Potro and Liya Belibova . The crowd greeted this with loud applause – it turned out that the head of government is quite confident with a racket in his hands.
The match itself concluded in the best traditions of exhibition tennis: after a tied score of sets, a championship tiebreak was played to 10 points, where Simona Halep and Radu Albot emerged victorious , causing a real delight among the local crowd.
After the exhibition match, the celebration continued in the spectator village, where food courts , partner zones, and entertainment areas were open. Guests could sample national cuisine, get acquainted with the products of the tournament’s partners, and simply spend the evening in the atmosphere of a major sporting event.
The day concluded at the Ibis Hotel , located next to the complex, where a gala evening was held for a limited number of VIP guests. The guests were treated to performances by Simona Halep and Juan Martin del Potro and Radu Albot wished Moldovan tennis continued development and continued international success. The atmosphere was enhanced by performances by a national music ensemble, Moldovan cuisine, and a warm welcome.
The opening of the National Tennis Center was more than just a sporting event. For Moldovan tennis, it felt like a transition to a completely new level—infrastructural, organizational, and emotional.
And judging by the way the evening unfolded, tennis in Moldova is truly beginning a new chapter.
