Tournament Director Herwig Straka, Erste Bank CEO Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller, City Councillor for Sport Peter Hacker and Stadthalle Managing Director Matthäus Zelenka gave a positive assessment of the Erste Bank Open 2024 on Sunday. “What seemed impossible last year, we have achieved again this year with a new attendance record. The qualifier on Saturday, the farewell for Dominic Thiem on Sunday and Monday were already incredibly well sold. We will therefore end up with 78,000 visitors, around 5,000 more than last year. That's great for all of us,” said Straka.
“We can also look back on a successful year because we received very good feedback from the players and the ATP. The city of Vienna is a highlight for the players and the matches were at an incredible level. Dominic Thiem gave his farewell, which was fitting. Now we're looking to the future without him. It's bright because we're no longer dependent on local players. Yesterday, the enthusiasm for the semi-finals was extremely high, even though no Austrians played,” said Straka. This enthusiasm and the continuous development of the tournament has another important effect: Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller announced the extension of the contract as main sponsor for another three years until 2027 during the press event. The contract was signed directly on the podium by Holzinger-Burgstaller and Straka. “We want to continue to be a part of this success story, which is why we are extending the contract for another three years,” explained Holzinger-Burgstaller.
Anniversary year
The focus this year was also on the anniversary of 50 years of tennis in Vienna, which was celebrated under the motto “Champions of Vienna”. Straka: “We didn't want to use the 50 years as a retrospective, but to look to the future. That's why we created events such as 'Magic Moments in the City', our exhibition 'The Official Tennis Experience' and other highlights. With Magic Moments in the City, we have brought tennis to the city and given many boys their first contact with the sport. We want to continue some of these activities in the future.”
City Councillor for Sport Peter Hacker added: “Tennis in front of the Rathausplatz was a big topic, as was the entire event and the anniversary. Normally, a 50th anniversary celebration often only produces big yawns. The opposite happened here. For me, it's important to encourage motivation. Motivation to strive after the great role models, to dream of one day standing on center court myself. We can't even estimate how many young people have come to tennis as a result of this week. That's exactly what we need: Motivation through role models. It's fair to say: mission accomplished!”
Matthäus Zelenka, Managing Director of Wiener Stadthalle, enthused: “It really is a magic moment when you see how the Stadthalle is transformed into a tennis arena. My thanks go to Herwig Straka and his team for their cooperation. When you see the TV pictures, it makes me proud.” Zelenka also referred to the exhibition “The Official Tennis Experience”: “This is something very special. The development of the rackets alone shows what has already taken place here over the last 50 years. We have a great tradition and I am looking forward to the future.”
