One of these is the “Official Tennis Experience”, which will take place from October 9 to November 3 in Studio F of the Wiener Stadthalle. The heroes of the last 50 years will be celebrated, with personal items such as rackets and clothing as well as exclusive merchandise products building a bridge to the present and future. In addition, ten of Thomas Muster's trophies, including those from the 1995 French Open, will be on display for the first and last time - these will then be auctioned off for a good cause.
Bid for Austrian sports history
On June 11, 1995, Thomas Muster made Austrian sporting history when he became the first Austrian to win a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open in Paris. During his career, the Styrian won a total of 44 ATP singles titles and was the first and only Austrian to top the tennis world rankings. 13 years after his career finally ended at the 2011 Erste Bank Open, he has now decided to auction off ten of his trophies for a good cause: the one from the 1995 French Open, the one for first place in the world rankings and all of his eight ATP Masters Series tournament victories at the time.
The trophies will be auctioned via the online auction platform “Aurena” (www.aurena.at), which will waive the usual fee and pass on the total amount of all ten trophies. The auction will start on October 8, and the final sum collected will be handed over after the Ö3 Christmas Miracle, where the money will go to the LICHT INS DUNKEL emergency aid fund and thus benefit families in need.
Marvel at select trophies
Before the trophies move to their new owners, they can be admired up close at the “Official Tennis Experience” in the Wiener Stadthalle - for the first and last time. The area opens before and runs until shortly after the Erste Bank Open (October 19 to 27) in Studio F of the Wiener Stadthalle from October 9 to November 3. At the “Official Tennis Experience”, rare objects from 50 years of tennis in Vienna will be on display alongside Muster's trophies, Dominic Thiem and all other Austrian tennis heroes will be celebrated, interactive time travel with exclusive insights and special merchandise collections will be on offer. Using VR goggles, visitors can take on various challenges, symbolizing the connection between past, present and future.
“This year, the Erste Bank Open will be even more widespread and accessible to even more people. Under the Champions of Vienna subline, we are combining several aspects and making the tournament a unique all-round experience for fans,” says Tournament Director Herwig Straka. “A special focus of the Official Tennis Experience is on the great careers of Thomas Muster and Dominic Thiem. The fact that Tom is making ten of his trophies available to touch and is even auctioning them off is extraordinary. It is the first and probably only chance to see these trophies. We are looking forward to unforgettable highlights and a look back at 50 years of world-class tennis in Vienna.”
Tennis is not only one of the greatest sports in the world, it is also the one with the greatest tradition. At the “Official Tennis Experience”, visitors can become part of this long history themselves. Exclusive interviews with sporting legends, historic tennis rackets and iconic clothing from different eras tell the exciting story of tennis. Unique photos and iconic scenes provide never-before-seen insights. Innovative elements and modern technologies are also presented: In the State of the Art VR Tennis Experience, guests become the star of an exciting sports adventure and experience tennis from a completely new perspective.
Tickets for the “Official Tennis Experience” can now be purchased at www.championsofvienna.com
