Erste Bank Open 2021: Almost 60,000 spectators in Vienna
Tournament director Herwig Straka , Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller , CEO of Erste Bank, the Vienna City Councilor for Sports and Health Peter Hacker and Carola Lindenbauer , Managing Director of the Wiener Stadthalle, drew a more than satisfied balance of the Erste Bank Open 2021 on Sunday.
by PM
last edit: Oct 31, 2021, 06:33 pm
Due to the 2G regulation, there were no visitor restrictions in the Wiener Stadthalle in contrast to the previous year. A total of almost 60,000 spectators came to the town hall and the new, second location "Tennis 2 Go" on the grounds of the Vienna Ice Skating Club on Heumarkt. "That is only around 10 percent less than in 2019, our previous record year," summarized Straka with satisfaction. “That's great when you consider that 30 percent of the potential viewers couldn't come because of the 2G regulation.” Nevertheless, this regulation brought planning security, as Straka confirmed: “We welcomed and supported that from the start. As you have seen this week, quite rightly. "
Sports and Health City Councilor Peter Hacker also took the same line: “This regulation meets people's needs. We want to celebrate such big events and sports festivals again. 2G is the prerequisite for this. The audience also understood that it only works under these rules of the game. "At the same time, Hacker also thanked the organizing e | motion group :" It is not a matter of course that these rules of the game are not only understood in such a difficult health policy situation, but also meticulously implemented . I know how much work is behind it, so my thanks to the organizer. "
Straka satisfied with the location on the Heumarkt
In her statement, Erste Bank CEO Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller mentioned above all the unbelievable atmosphere in the Wiener Stadthalle: “It was sensational. We saw unbelievable matches and felt the joy of the people to finally be there live at a big event again. "Stadthallen-" Landlady "Lindenbauer recalled the long history of the tournament:" I am extremely happy about the Erste Bank Open. It was the eleventh edition under this name, the 47th tennis tournament in the town hall overall. We have extended the contract with Herwig Straka for another five years, which makes us very happy. "
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Tournament director and e | motion-group CEO Straka was also extremely satisfied with the new, second location at the square of the Vienna Ice Skating Club: “With 'Tennis 2 Go' we have presented a new concept with which we tennis in the middle of the city and wanted to bring them closer to the Viennese. That was very well received - it was discussed. Of course we still have a lot to learn for the future, but overall it was a successful attempt. The ATP has confirmed to us that this has never happened in this form anywhere in the world. ”Looking ahead to 2022, the hope is that the situation will largely normalize, according to Straka:“ We know that it will not be a normal year, but hopefully almost normal. There is great hope that the events on the ATP tour after the Australian Open can take place without restrictions - so of course in Vienna too. "