Zahava Open

The Zahavan Open also called Marcian Games, is a major  held over two weeks between late May and early June at the Marcian Amphitheatre in Thessala, Zahava. The venue is named after the Zahavan General Marcian Tigurius. It is the second of four annual Major Festival tournaments the other three being the Yarovan open, Sanatae Martones Open and the Rugi Open. The Zahavan Open is currently the only Major Festival event held on clay, and during a period of high average temperatures for the region. Because of the seven rounds needed for a championship, the slow-playing surface and the best-of-five-set singles matches (without a in the final set), coupled with the weather the event is widely considered to be one of the most physically demanding tennis tournaments in the world.

Traditions and Etiquette
The Zahavan Open has many strict protocols and traditions that are still in practice today. Namely absence of sponsor advertising around the courts.

Imperial Patronage
All players are expected to bow, or curtsie to the Imperial family, if they are in attendance upon both entering and leaving the court. Failure to do so may result in lifetime bans from future tournaments and possible forfeiture of any winnings.

Uniforms
All ball boys and girls, umpires, and linesmen are required to wear green, or navy blue uniforms. Players are required to wear the Imperial colors, of purple and gold with men required to wear primarily purple kit, and women a primarily gold kit. All kits and uniforms are required to not display any color scheme or pattern that is that of an identifiable commercial brand logo.

Military Volunteers
Each branch of the Imperial armed forces submits some sixty recruits to act as volunteer stewards during the tournament at both the center and alternative courts. In addition these volunteers, along with the Imperial house guards conduct the arrival and departure ceremonies of the Imperial family, and playing of both the national and international anthems during player introductions.

Surface Characteristics
Clay courts slow down the ball and produce a high bounce when compared to grass courts or hard courts. For this reason, clay courts take away some of the advantages of big servers and serve-and-volleyers, which makes it hard for these types of players to dominate on the surface. On the other hand, players whose games are more suited to slower surfaces have typically found success.

Prize money and ranking points
For 2018, the prize money purse was increased to $39,197,000. If a player makes it to the indicated round, they will receive the points and money listed (provided they don't make it to a further round). Men and women often receive different point values based on the rules of their respective tours. Players receive prize money and points as follows: