By Mark Winters
Tournament Director, Ralf Weber, at the end of every Gerry Weber Open, takes a breath and immediately begins planning to make the next tournament, the best of the ATP Tour’s 500 events. This was Halle’s twenty-fifth year, and Weber explained how important it was to make the Jubilee Celebration not only memorable, but truly special.
“We decided to hold a Champions Trophy special event,” Weber said of the Saturday and Sunday activity that took place before the start of the tournament. “Michael Stich, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Henri Leconte were some of the champions who were invited. German women, such as world No. 1, Angelique Kerber, Andrea Petkovic and up and coming talent, Luisa Meyer auf der Heide were integrated into the program. The spectator numbers, which were 31,400 enthusiastic fans, speak for themselves.”
“It was a great concept that completely worked out. Also, the ‘Weather God’ played along. It was a great, relaxed atmosphere on the whole site. The weekend was a total success in regard to tennis and socially as well.”
Weber continued, “A small ceremony was held on Saturday, and I thought it was really great that ATP Chairman, Chris Kermode was a special guest and presented the tournament with the Heritage Award for its twenty-five years. Philip Brook, Chairman of the All England Lawn Tennis Club, joined us and spoke about the special relationship between Wimbledon and Halle for the past twenty-five years.”
As is the case annually, Halle attendance was up. “We expected approximately 115, 000 spectators.” Weber said. “We will set a new attendance record. We have never sold so many tickets, which is due to the attractive entertainment program that meets with the tastes of the spectators.”
On a personal note, Weber pointed out, “Monday was very emotional when we said farewell to Tommy Haas. He was presented with the first Gerry Weber Open Award of Excellence, which Tommy more than deserved. He is the record attendee having competed at the tournament fifteen times. He did exceptional things for the tournament and won it twice. We wish him and his family a lot of luck, and all the best in his new function as a colleague (as Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California).”
Weber was delighted that eight German players were in the main draw, and that the ATP entry cutoff was the highest it ever had been, No.60. “The tournament has evolved internationally,” he said. “The draw has never been as good, with four of the top ten players participating. Of the top German pros, Alexander Zverev has really made a tremendous step. I am very happy he is here for the third time. He and his family feel good here. German tennis is very lucky to have another top ten player who has charisma, and has great potential to become a world star.”
Roger Federer is the face of the Gerry Weber Open, but it is essential for the tournament to look toward the future, and Zverev is, indeed, tomorrow. Asked about solidifying his relationship with the event, Weber offered, “We have started discussions. His manager was here and I think we will finalize the matter during the next weeks. He not only feels good here, but most important, the tournament suits his calendar perfectly. He is only twenty-years-old so we will see if it will be a lifetime contract or an agreement over several years, which would make sense. If he keeps developing, it would be great if “Sascha” (Alexander) became the face of the Gerry Weber Open, putting his mark on the tournament.”
With twenty-five years of success in the record book, Weber looked ahead saying, “The thing that distinguishes us is staying innovative; thinking about what and where we can improve; what we can make perfect. We have already decided that the Champions Trophy was a success and would like to carry on the program next year. Maybe we will we try a mixed doubles and a men’s doubles, and maybe combine it with a Pro-Am so that tennis fans can have the joy to be on court with former players.”
He concluded, “We are in a very comfortable situation. We have the contract with Roger (Federer) and one with (Kei) Nishikori, who is important to us internationally, especially in Asia. We hope to announce agreements with other top players very soon, and we have already started ticket sales for 2018. Next year, there will be another leap as the prize money is getting close to two million Euros because we have an agreement to increase it eight percent every year.”
