“Everything has gotten better again.”
With these words, Erste Bank CEO Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller tried to summarize the Erste Bank Open 2024 in one sentence at a final annual press conference on Sunday.
And even when viewed critically, it is difficult to contradict this statement.
Last year’s attendance record of 73,000 fans was once again significantly exceeded with around 78,000 visitors.
Some stars’ cancellations were not significant
“It’s really difficult to grow now, but we’ve really grown again this year. That seemed impossible a year ago,” explained tournament director Herwig Straka.
The reason for this was Monday, which was better attended this year, when ÖTV hope Joel Schwärzler was allowed to try his luck against top star Alex Zverev, as well as Dominic Thiem’s farewell party on Sunday, where additional tickets were given to the man or woman could.
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In the end, the short-term cancellations of Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz no longer mattered. At least last year’s Russian finalist promised that he would definitely come back next year.
Thiem’s failure doesn’t worry Straka
Due to the status of the ATP 500 category, around 5 top 10 or 10 top 20 players are now guaranteed every year. The stars still have to be shared with the 500 event in Basel.
Since both the ATP and the players continue to give the organizers in Vienna a very good report, the future of the largest domestic tennis tournament looks bright.
“But we still have to keep up with the international competition,” Straka doesn’t want to rest on his laurels and refers to the star exhibition in Saudi Arabia, where last year’s winner Jannik Sinner, among others, was at the start and which took place shortly before the town hall tournament took place.
In addition, at least in the near future, you can no longer rely on a local superstar like Dominic Thiem. A circumstance that doesn’t worry Straka: “We no longer have this great dependence on local players. That’s nice to see. The spectators were able to see great games in the semi-finals without Austrian participation and the enthusiasm was still the same.”
The new hall is still a thing of the future
The planned Marx Hall, which will have a significantly higher audience capacity than the Stadthalle with around 9,000 seats, is still a long way off. This hall will not exist until 2029 at the earliest, in which 1,000-strong events could theoretically be held, requiring a minimum capacity of 13,500 seats.
The reason for the delays are legal objections from unsuccessful bidders during the award. Accordingly, it is difficult for sports city councilor Peter Hacker to make a prediction as to when the Marx Hall will finally work.
Combined women’s tournament?
Possible further growth could come from other avenues. This is how Straka could imagine a combined men’s/women’s tournament. Since there is only limited space in the town hall, he has in mind a “virtual combined event”.
“You’re not in the same city, but at least you’re in the same country. For example, Vienna and Linz. That would be the broadest term. Or we play in two different halls in Vienna.”
There are also discussions with international investors in order to be financially stronger for the future. Increasing budgets are also expected at the top tournaments in the future and Straka wants to be prepared for this with the Erste Bank Open.
The title sponsor will also remain associated with the event for a longer period of time. Due to the good cooperation, the contract was extended on Sunday by three years until 2027.
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