The field of participants at the tennis tournament in Halle/Westphalia is something special this year. Only the young Germans are causing a bit of a headache.
The biggest star is already here: The newly crowned Grand Slam winner Alexander Zverev traveled from the global metropolis of Paris to the tranquil town of Halle in East Westphalia on Wednesday to prepare for the grass season. He doesn’t have his first game until the beginning of next week. “This is real professionalism,” says Ralf Weber to WDR.
The long-time tournament director (since 1993) of the event, which has now grown into a tournament in the 500 category (second category behind the 1000 tournaments), has not only the best German tennis player and number 3 in the world rankings to offer in his field of participants this year.
Change over the years
With Felix Auger-Aliassime (Canada), Daniil Medvedev (Russia), Flavio Cobolli (Italy), Taylor Fritz (USA) and Ben Shelton (USA) there are five other top 10 players in the main field. Other high-quality and well-known professionals will also be competing: Alexander Bublik (Kazakhstan), Andrej Rublev (Russia), Nick Kyrgios (Australia) and the Brazilian shooting star Joao Fonseca.
A line-up that will make tennis fans sit up and take notice and make rival tournaments at least a little jealous. “It has actually changed over the years, it has completely turned around,” says Weber.
Infrastructure is a big advantage
Even in earlier times, a number of tennis stars could regularly be seen in Halle, such as the ten-time and record winner Roger Federer (Switzerland), who had signed a long-term contract with the organizers. But the field of participants has never been as concentrated as it was in this edition.
Tournament director Ralf Weber (r.) next to Roger Federer
The reasons: On the one hand, there is of course good money to be made in Halle for the players. On the other hand, according to Weber, the external conditions of the system are particularly valued by the professionals. “The players find this an oasis of well-being, you hear that every year,” says Weber. “And we have just modernized many things again.”
The infrastructure offers many amenities for athletes. There are six grass training pitches alone, which is not a given at comparable tournaments. In addition to a golf course, there is a fitness studio within walking distance; if it rains, players can go to a hall. The players’ hotel is also located on the tournament grounds.
Weber: “Young talent has been an issue for years”
But Weber doesn’t look to the future without any worries, even if the current situation seems very comfortable. Behind Zverev, the situation surrounding the German players is slowly becoming complicated. Jan-Lennard Struff (36) and Yannick Hanfmann (34) will end their careers for the foreseeable future. And what comes after that?
“We’ve had this topic for years,” says Weber, who as the organizer is of course very interested in ensuring that competitive German players continue to be included in the field of participants. There is also a need for integration figures for the local spectators and tennis fans. There are also a few young German players, but they are still a long way from absolute world class.
Some wildcards for German professionals
“We support the German players here in Halle,” said Weber, who hopes that one or two young talents will make it into the top 50 in the near future. “But this is a very big step,” said Weber.
After the German number, Yannick Hanfmann, moved straight into the main field, one of these talents, alongside Daniel Altmaier (Kempen), received the wildcard for the main field of the individual competition: Max Schönhaus (Soest). Experienced Struff and Hanfmann can at least look forward to a wildcard – i.e. direct access to the main field – in the doubles, although they were unable to qualify due to their world ranking position.
Jamie Mackenzie (18), Diego Dedura (18) and Tom Gentzsch (22) each received a wildcard for the qualification, which begins on Saturday. “They were there right when the pitch opened and took advantage of the training opportunities. I think that’s really good,” says Weber. The main field then starts on Monday,
Around 500 helpers will be busy again from the weekend on to put the tournament in Halle together as best as possible. “The most exciting time of the year is finally beginning again,” says Weber.
Our sources:
- Interview with tournament director Ralf Weber
- Terra Wortmann Open press office
Broadcast: WDR.de, ATP tournament in Halle with many top starsJune 11, 20262:37 p.m
