The Berlin Tennis Open are coming to an end. The organizers take stock – and Andrea Petković finds a criticism.
Ex-tennis player Andrea Petković has criticized the public broadcaster for her decision not to broadcast the Berlin Tennis Open. The “Director of Excitement” said at the final press conference of the women’s tournament in the federal capital for a corresponding question: “For my taste, the public broadcasters are not sufficiently enthusiastic.”
Above all, she criticized the decision that the men’s tournament, which takes place in Halle at the same time, would not be broadcast, but the women’s tournament in Berlin was not. “I think that if you decide to broadcast a tournament like Halle as a public service broadcaster, it looks bad to the outside when the women fall down,” said Petković. Both tournaments would have the same value in the tournament calendar. Both the tournament in Halle and in Berlin are a tournament of the 500 category.
“We have a better field than the men,” emphasized Andrea Petković, even if there is no local superstar among the German players like Alexander Zverev among men. At least one live stream could have offered the public law. “There is no longer an excuse that tennis in live TV does not work. There are streams where you can let it run for the tennis fans who would like to see it.”
Overall, they find it “difficult” that the tournament will not be transferred. “But it is not in my hand, but in the hands of the public broadcaster,” said Petković.
The tournament in Berlin serves as a preparation tournament for the Grand Slam in Wimbledon. This year, nine of the ten top ten players were registered in the world rankings. Only the Polish iga świątek was missing.