The “Viennese changing of the guard” at the traditional tournament in the town hall, which will be held for the eleventh time under the current title sponsor from October 23rd to 31st, underscores the fact that a new generation is noticeably taking over command on the ATP tour. The young Vienna starters also include the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime, the Pole Hubert Hurkacz and the South Tyrolean Jannik Sinner.
Of the boys, only the Russians Andrei Medvedev and Vienna’s last year’s winner Andrei Rublew, who is also defending his title in St. Petersburg, are missing. Two wildcards have already been awarded. They go to the three-time Grand Slam winner Andy Murray and the Italian shooting star Lorenzo Musetti. For the third and final “free ticket” there are two candidates: 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who caused a sensation at the US Open, and 21-year-old American Sebastian Korda.
Young top stars at Erste Bank Open
Without Dominic Thiem, but with a large number of other young top stars, the Erste Bank Open in Vienna will take place in 2021. In addition to Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev, Matteo Berrettini and Casper Ruud also appear in the town hall.
Tournament director Herwig Straka and ÖTV sports director Jürgen Melzer were enthusiastic about the signed players. “We’ll see almost all good young players in Vienna, it’s a great field,” said Straka. “It is extremely important to present tennis to children and young people at the highest level,” said Melzer. “Even if some top players are out of action, you can look at the entry list with a click of your tongue,” added the two-time Vienna winner.
“2-G” regulation and “Tennis 2 GO” at Heumarkt
The “2-G” rule applies to the tournament in the town hall. Straka is convinced that the previously limited ticket sales will now pick up strongly despite the restriction. “The interest is very high. We are looking forward to a very safe tournament and can count on a full house ”, the Styrian is convinced.
What is new and remarkable about the Vienna ATP 500 is that the second match court is this time in the city center. Namely on the Heumarkt at the ice skating club, where the Beach Volleyball EM took place in August. “We want to address new target groups with this,” said Straka. There are season tickets. You pay depending on the length of your stay, so you can stop by for tennis during your lunch break. Two hours are available from ten euros. “The innovation is sensational,” said Straka of the “Tennis 2 GO” concept.
The entry list with its current position in the world rankings:
Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE / 3), Alexander Zverev (GER / 4), Matteo Berrettini (ITA / 7), Casper Ruud (NOR / 10), Felix Auger-Aliassime (CAN / 11), Hubert Hurkacz (POL / 12), Jannik Sinner (ITA / 14), Diego Schwartzman (ARG / 15), Pablo Carreno Busta (ESP / 16), Cristian Garin (CHI / 17), Reilly Opelka (USA / 19), Gael Monfils (FRA / 20), Daniel Evans (GBR / 22), Lorenzo Sonego (ITA / 23), Ugo Humbert (FRA / 25), Alex De Minaur (AUS / 26), Cameron Norrie (GBR / 28), Grigor Dimitrov (BUL / 29), Fabio Fognini (ITA / 31), Lloyd Harris (RSA / 32), Nikoloz Basiashwili (GEO / 34), Dusan Lajovic (SRB / 35), Filip Krajinovic (SRB / 37) and wildcards for Lorenzo Musetti (ITA / 61) and Andy Murray (GBR / 109).
