PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – A luxurious beachfront villa for Carlos Alcaraz to use at any time of the year, and unlimited rounds of golf on idyllic courses. That’s how the Caribbean’s biggest tennis event would like to lure the world No. 1.
“I would offer him a beachfront villa. Let him come on holiday with his family and friends, or do his pre-season here. He could play as much golf as he wants,” Laura Fernández, director of the Copa Cap Cana — the Challenger 175 being held this week in Punta Cana — told CLAY in an interview, also published by RG Media.
The Republica Dominicana Open, one of the six “Super Challengers” on the international calendar, celebrates its second edition in 2026 with a draw featuring eleven Top 100 players. With a multimillion-dollar investment in a paradise destination, the organisers dream of turning the event into an ATP 250. If that happens, they could try to convince the seven-time Grand Slam champion.
A party for players aboard a catamaran sailing through the Caribbean Sea? A golf tournament bringing together tennis players who love the sport? The Dominicans are dreaming big. “Beyond tennis, players come here to live an experience,” Fernández explained to CLAY.
Interview with Laura Fernández, Copa Cap Cana’s tournament director
— You directed the Santo Domingo Challenger for several years. The goals and budgets were different. Then the story took a turn and now you are leading one of the best Challenger events in the world.
— We kept strengthening the Challenger in Santo Domingo, improving it every year. Until the ATP told us they wanted to have a Challenger 175 in the Americas, right between Indian Wells and the Miami Open, so that players who lost in the first or second round in Indian Wells and had nothing to do until Miami wouldn’t lose rhythm or money while not competing. The ATP was also looking for a tourist destination.
— That’s when the idea of moving from Santo Domingo to Punta Cana gained momentum.
— Exactly. Because this is a swing where players come with their families, they stay in big houses in California and Florida, enjoy the sun, the heat, the beach, and the players’ wives go shopping at the mall. That’s when I thought about Cap Cana. I knew they would open the doors for me here — I’m a childhood friend of the owners of Cap Cana. Together with Roberto Rizik, the president of the La Bocha club in Santo Domingo, we came here and presented the idea.
— And they loved it.
— Yes. Cap Cana has been bringing many sporting events and including tennis was very appealing to them. They committed to raising the level: today we have courts identical to the Miami Open, and Electronic Line Calling, which isn’t mandatory at the Challenger level.
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— You won the bid against Cancún.
— Yes. They had a very good proposal too. Perhaps the fact that Mexico already has the ATP 500 in Acapulco, the ATP 250 in Los Cabos, and Challengers in several categories helped. Fernando Hazoury (owner of Cap Cana) isn’t satisfied with a Challenger 175. He wants a 250 — he even talks to me about a 500. I tell him we should take it step by step.
— Which player do you dream of seeing play in the Dominican Republic?
— Carlos Alcaraz! This year we were very close to bringing Stefanos Tsitsipas, but he ended up entering the Indian Wells doubles draw with Novak Djokovic.
— Before signing up for doubles, didn’t Tsitsipas negotiate an appearance fee with you?
— No. What we told him was: “You lost in the first round in Indian Wells, why not come here to keep your rhythm? We’ll give you a wild card.” Jiri Lehecka was also going to come, Matteo Berrettini almost joined… we were very close! We’re close to getting more stars. Today we have Hubi Hurkacz, who was world No. 6, and David Goffin, who was the runner up once at the ATP Finals.
— What do the players say about the tournament and the destination?
— They’re amazed. They tell me: “This is an ATP 250.” I treat them as if they were at a 250. For example, the rule says new balls for practice start on Saturday. Here I had players on Wednesday and told them: “Here, take your two cans.” And off court they have so many things to do. Cap Cana offers beach, fishing, sailing, nature, golf, gastronomy, music. Everything comes together with tennis, but they know they can come not only to play tennis. We offer them an experience.
— It’s very likely Alcaraz will never return to the Challenger Tour, but if Copa Cap Cana ever moves up and becomes an ATP 250, how would you lure him?
— A beachfront villa for him and his whole family. And it would be available at any time of the year. He could come on holiday there or do his pre-season. He could bring his friends, his girlfriend, whoever he wants to discover the Dominican Republic.
— And unlimited golf…
— Of course. He would have access to Punta Espada, the best course in the Caribbean, and Las Iguanas, which has just opened.
— Alcaraz loves golf, and many tennis players are hooked on the sport. One player suggested organising a golf tournament for tennis players. Could that happen in Cap Cana?
— That’s a great idea for future editions of our tournament. Several players have already signed up to play a round at Punta Espada. Another idea I’m very excited about is putting the players on a catamaran to sail through the Caribbean Sea.
— A players’ party on the water?
— It would be a success! The players, their teams and their families on a catamaran at sunset, with a DJ, great food and cocktails. We have to save some surprises for future editions!
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