Thomas Muster’s iconic 1995 Roland Garros trophy is set to be auctioned off for charity as part of the ‘Champions of Vienna’ campaign. It marks a significant highlight of the ‘Official Tennis Experience’ at the Wiener Stadthalle, the home of the Erste Bank Open (21-27 October).

The ATP 500 tournament is celebrating its 50th anniversary, coinciding with the auction, running from October 9 to November 3, 2024. All proceeds will go towards the Ö3 ‘Christmas Miracle’ charity, which supports the LICHT INS DUNKEL emergency aid fund for families in need. 

“When I held the trophies in my hand again, many things came back to me. Now my trophies are going to someone who may have been watching at the time, and you can do something good at the same time,” Muster said. “It's not so easy to give it all away, because there are a lot of emotions and memories behind the trophies.”

^{Thomas Muster wins Roland Garros in 1995. Credit: Patrick Kovarik/Getty Images}

The ‘Official Tennis Experience’ exhibition offers an exciting journey through the last five decades of tennis in Vienna, showcasing exclusive memorabilia from key players linked to the tournament’s history. In addition to Muster’s trophies, the exhibition features items from stars like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner.

Guests at the pre-opening on October 8 included former stars Jurgen Melzer, Stefan Koubek, and Alexander Peya, with large crowds gathering not just to see the trophies, but the whole experience.

“There are lots of other things,” Muster added. “Everything has been beautifully prepared. It was certainly a lot of work to put it all together and get it ready.”

The exhibition aims to highlight the rich history of tennis in Vienna but also incorporates modern elements like VR experiences to showcase the future of the sport. Tickets for the ‘Official Tennis Experience’ are available at www.championsofvienna.com, while bidding for Muster’s trophies is live on www.aurena.at until November 3.

^{Credit: Florian Rogner Photography}

^{Credit: Florian Rogner Photography}