Hardly a day goes by without a big star landing in Vienna-Schwechat. No wonder: apart from the injured Jannik Sinner, the world’s best are with them First Bank Open am Start.
Carlos Alcaraz The German will land on his second appearance in Vienna after 2021 on Saturday Alexander Zverevwho can become number one in Vienna if they reach the semi-finals, even earlier. It could happen as early as Thursday evening.
Austria’s star is already there. Yuri Rodionov trained yesterday in the town hall. “Aside from the Davis Cup, the Vienna tournament is the highlight for me, even if the opponents will be a little stronger,” says the 27-year-old, who, like last year, is primarily responsible for this “KURIER Austria Davis Cup Team” plays at the Final 8 in Bologna.
On Saturday, “Mr. Davis Cup” could find a nice opponent in the draw. But he himself knows: “There are no easy opponents here.”
Thiem & Tien
But a highlight is already waiting today: Austria’s largest men’s tournament starts almost traditionally with the spectacular tie-break tournament „Red Bull BassLine“for the Dominic Thiem drafted new rules. From 7 p.m. top stars like Grigor Dimitrov, Matteo Berrettini, Learner Tien and Jakub Mensik will rock the Stadthalle with DJ beats.
And what does Thiem have to do with it? A hand signal from the player in the direction of the former top player and the next rally counts double. “Even if you’re far behind, you still have the chance to come back and turn the match around,” says Thiem about “Domi’s Double.”
Then it gets serious, then it’s also about ATP points. After the tie-break overture, qualifying will take place at both tournament locations on Saturday and Sunday City hall and the Marx Halle The last four starting places are awarded for the main individual competition, which starts on Monday – incidentally the only day for which tickets are still available in the town hall.
By the way, training also takes place in the Marxhalle, the second leg of the ATP 500 tournament. While the top players compete there, other world-class players compete in other competitions.
Vienna to Shang-High
Austria’s new team can compete in the double competition Lucas Miedler/Neil Oberleitner demand the absolute best in the world – and will be able to do so. After all, the Davis Cup duo recently won their first title at the ATP 1,000 level in Shanghai. The two are currently still employed in Almaty.
And from October 29th, the best wheelchair players in the world will be playing in the Marxhalle. With the Austrians Nico Langmann and Maximilian Diver.