Davis Cup: prices and schedule deter spectators – German triumph in front of a small crowd

The historic 2-1 triumph against France could have been great German tennis cinema, but the reality in the Stadion am Rothenbaum was completely different.

Just under 2,000 spectators watched Germany’s first success in the Davis Cup against their western neighbors in 84 years, and not even every fourth seat in the arena was occupied.

And despite all the joy about the team’s opening victory, Jan-Lennard Struff had a very clear opinion on it. “I was shocked by the ticket price. It’s brutally expensive, I think it’s a shame,” said the 32-year-old bluntly and was right: 75 to 150 euros are called for per ticket for the games with German participation, even in the German musical -City of Hamburg damn much money.

Struff’s teammate Oscar Otte pointed out another problem: “Of course we all want more spectators, but almost everyone in Germany has to work on a Wednesday afternoon.” For decades, the old format was played exclusively from Friday to Sunday, with a weekend feeling, so to speak.

Bulky schedule prevents large crowds

The problematic schedule with three matches per team within five days also prevents large crowds of guest fans in the stands for cost reasons. Hardly more than two dozen French cheered on their compatriots in the game against hosts Germany. Not an appropriate setting for a memorable day of tennis like there have been many at the unofficial World Team Championships.

The legendary duel between Boris Becker and John McEnroe in Hartford in 1987 is just as well remembered as the carpet coming loose in Frankfurt/Main two years earlier at the match of the late Michael Westphal. And even Wimbledon champion Michael Stich hasn’t forgotten that he missed nine (!) match points in Moscow in 1995.

Such drama cannot be created at the push of a button, the current high admission prices should have been cushioned. Although there were specifications from the overall organizer, the organizers in Glasgow, Bologna and Valencia decided to subsidize the tickets at their own expense. That was not done in Hamburg, even after the cancellation of Olympic champion Alexander Zverev due to injury.

DTB team boss Michael Kohlmann, however, preferred to think ahead and thanked those who had come: “It’s always something special to play in front of your own audience. It doesn’t matter whether there are 2,500, 5,000 or 10,000 spectators.” The exciting question remains how many visitors will come against Belgium on Friday (from 2:00 p.m.).

(SID)