SP Open Unveils Trophy Designed by Ara Vartanian
The inaugural SP Open has revealed its official trophy, a unique sculpture created by renowned contemporary jeweler Ara Vartanian. Conceived specifically for the WTA 250 tournament, the trophy is a powerful tribute to both the city of São Paulo and the spirit of women’s tennis, blending local identity with the dynamism of the sport.
Vartanian’s design draws its core inspiration from the Marco Zero de São Paulo, the city’s symbolic and geographical center point. The trophy’s form, when viewed from above, reinterprets the compass rose design found on the ground in front of Praça da Sé, the very heart from which São Paulo’s energy is measured. This symbolic connection anchors the trophy to the city’s identity, representing a pulse that connects São Paulo to the rest of Brazil.
Beyond its symbolic base, the trophy captures the motion of the game. A golden metallic sphere appears to float dynamically on the side of the piece, symbolizing the precise moment a tennis ball crosses the net. This detail evokes the delicate balance between lightness and tension that defines a decisive point in a match, bringing the energy of the court into the sculpture itself. The structure of the trophy is a blend of different materials, including brass, aluminum, and stainless steel, with real racket strings incorporated into the final design.
The trophy’s base is crafted from jatobá wood, a collaboration with master woodworker Fernanda Barretto. This partnership highlights the tournament’s focus on female empowerment, as a woman leading this crucial stage of the trophy’s creation aligns perfectly with the tournament’s celebration of women’s tennis. The metallic components were developed through a combination of digital modeling, 3D printing, and sand casting before being manually assembled piece by piece.
With dimensions of 53 cm in width and length and 25 cm in height, the trophy weighs approximately 10 kg. Its design reflects a new layer of intent from every angle, combining tension, fluidity, and presence in a single three-dimensional gesture.
For Ara Vartanian, the opportunity to design the trophy for the SP Open was a profound honor. He expressed a deep connection to São Paulo and the significance of contributing to a symbolic moment for women’s sports. “Thinking about a piece that will be passed from hand to hand, from champion to champion, for many years, is something that moves me,” said Vartanian. “It was a beautiful challenge: to create something that represents the strength of victory and celebrates the women who will win this title. It resonates with me in a very genuine way.”
Trophy Specifications
- Created by: Ara Vartanian
- Dimensions: 53 cm (width) x 53 cm (length) x 25 cm (height)
- Weight: Approximately 10 kg
- Inspiration: The Marco Zero of São Paulo, reinterpreting the compass rose design at Praça da Sé.
