© Sportreport
The GRAWE sidebyside 14th Austrian Open – Super World Tour Finals from November 20 to 22, 2020 is the first international tournament in the four-way racket racketlon (table tennis, badminton, squash, tennis) since the FIR Racketlon World Tour had to be stopped at the end of February due to the corona pandemic after only 4 events (International World Tour Vienna, as well as 3 challengers: Thailand, India and Luxembourg). The World Tour 2020 ends where it began: in Austria. The planned press event with a draw in Graz City Hall on November 17th had to be canceled at short notice due to the new Civid regulations and instead took place exclusively online.
Die „Racketlon-Bubble“
The Austrian Open can only take place in 2020 thanks to the extensive corona prevention concept developed by the European Racketlon Union. The Racket Sport Center Graz is only open for the tournament. The cornerstones: A “Racketlon bubble” was created. Daily corona tests take place before entering the sports facility. Mouth and nose protection must be worn indoors (except for matches or training). The participants and helpers can either stay at the tournament hotel Austria Trend Hotel Europa Graz or at the tournament facility in Ragnitz. The transfer takes place with a specially set up shuttle service. After being eliminated, the “Racketlon bubble” must be left immediately.
Christine Seehofer before her anniversary
In terms of sport, everything will be different than usual in 2020. Instead of 150 athletes who normally take part in the Austrian Open, in 2020 only 16 men and 8 women will compete in the 4 elite competitions (women singles, men singles, men doubles, mixed doubles). In order to participate in the tournament, the active players have to accept strict quarantine measures on their return to their home countries. Many top stars have therefore canceled. Graz has a one-time comeback to announce: The former world number one and world champion Magnus Eliasson from Sweden will be there. The men’s field is led by Austria’s number one: Emanuel Schöpf (WRL 7), who is also the reigning Austrian champion. The draw brought the Bludenzer to the Burgenland Philipp Patzelt in round 1. In the women’s world number one and reigning world champion Christine Seehofer from Prottes is the tournament favorite. At the beginning she meets the Czech Soña Königsmarková. The Austrian could celebrate her 100th individual victory in a row on the FIR World Tour in Graz. Seehofer, who missed the Lower Austrian Championships this year due to injury, wants to end the year with a success. There was a great ticket for Bettina Bugl, who was placed on 2: She meets state champion Martina Meißl.
An overview of the tournament grids: LINK
FIR President Duncan Stahl thanked the organizers and the active participants: “Thanks to Marcel and the team that organized the Austrian Open even under difficult circumstances. Thanks to the players who took the hardships of participating. We hope that the Racketlon World Tour can start again next year. “
Top sport event
It is thanks to the recognition of the sport of Racketlon by Sport Austria (Austrian Federal Sports Organization) that the Austrian Open can be held as a top sporting event this year. Due to the current lockdown regulation of the Austrian federal government, indoor sports facilities are currently closed. Thanks to the contacts of the Racketlon Federation Austria and the European Racketlon Union to the owner of the Racket Sport Center Graz – Wolfgang Denk – the facility in Ragnitz will be opened especially for the event. Many thanks go to the sponsors of the event: City of Graz, State of Styria and the Ministry of Sports. The sponsors GRAWE (title sponsor for the first time), long-term partners VICTORIA AWARDS, BABOLAT, DONIC, COCA COLA and SIMONER & SCHEDER will remain loyal to the Austrian Open in 2020.
The Styrian Provincial Councilor Mag. Christoph Drexler attended the online press conference via Zoom and wished all athletes every success. He already gave an outlook on the Racketlon World Championships in 2021. City of Graz City Councilor Kurt Hohensinner, MBA reported by video message: “I would like to thank the Austrian Racketlon Association that we can host this tournament in Graz under all Covid guidelines. “The city councilor called the upcoming Racketlon World Championship, which will take place in Graz in 2021, as a“ lighthouse event ”.
Graz: the new Racketlon capital of Austria
Thanks to the support of the city of Graz, the seat of the newly founded European Racketlon Union was brought to the state capital in 2019. The City of Graz and the State of Styria have granted funding for the Racketlon World Championships, which will be held in Graz and Vienna from August 20 to 29, 2021. The GRAWE sidebyside 14th Austrian Open – Super World Tour Finals (20.-22.11.) Are thus the first test run for the largest racketlon event in the history of the combined sport of racketlon. Another major event in Graz will be the Sport Austria Finals from June 3 to 6, 2021, during which the Austrian Racketlon Championships will also take place in 2021. Thanks to the support of the federal government, the state and the city, the city of Graz has truly established itself as the racketlon hotspot in Austria.
GRAWE sidebyside 14. Austrian Open – Super World Tour Finals
Graz (AUT), 20. – 22. November 2020
Tournament website: www.racketloneurope.com
Draw / Results: fir.tournamentsoftware.com
Presseinfo RFA
17.11.2020
