Photo: Mario Gogh / unsplash
The German Tennis Association (DTB) had imagined the end of its multi-week tournament series a little differently. With Laura Siegemund and Anna-Lena Friedsam, the most prominent players had to pass in the finals, in the men’s both finals were canceled due to injuries. The mammoth event that started in early June ended with a small flaw. The conclusion of the was nevertheless positive. »I think the series served its purpose. It was the right action at the right time, «said DTB Vice President Dirk Hordorff.
The goal of the DTB was to give German tennis professionals match practice and some income in times of the corona crisis. After his final success against Oscar Otte, who was injured in the end, Yannick Hanfmann was able to look forward to a winner’s check for 8,000 euros. Since the worldwide tennis tour has been paused since mid-March and it is still unclear when and where normal operations will resume, there was at least some money to make ends meet.
Hanfmann is a prime example of who the series was intended for. Number 143 in the world, usually on the Challenger tour without the big stars – these professionals should be supported. “The response from players and organizers was very positive,” said Hordorff. »The level of the games was mostly good, all games were broadcast live on the tennis channel. It was a good thing for tennis in Germany, «said the official.
Every now and then there was criticism that stars like Alexander Zverev or Angelique Kerber were not there. But the DTB hadn’t even planned with them. Neither sporting nor financial would have made sense for the best in this country. Instead, Kerber prepares for day X in her Polish adopted home of Puszczykowo, while Zverev tests his new coach David Ferrer in Monte Carlo. This coming weekend, he plans to take part in a celebrity show tournament hosted by Serena Williams coach Patrick Mouratoglou in Nice.
A message that caught the attention of Zverev had recently canceled similar tournaments in Berlin on the grounds that he wanted to concentrate on training. The main reason, however, may have been that he wanted to avoid critical questions about the events of Novak Djokovic’s controversial Adriatic tour. Participation in Nice seems to make sense in sporting terms, in order to check the current level of performance after three weeks of training with Ferrer.
At DTB, they should also have been happy not to have to moderate the hype around Zverev in their own series. So the focus was on those for whom the event was intended. “It was a great mix between seasoned professionals and hungry young talents,” said Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann. “The conclusion is absolutely positive.” Nevertheless, the DTB wants the series not to be repeated in the new year. “I hope that it was a one-off thing and that we will soon play international tennis again,” said Hordorff. dpa / nd
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