Erste Bank Open: Herwig Straka - "That hurts a lot"
Erste Bank Open tournament director Herwig Straka has to reschedule again after the measures announced by the Austrian government on Monday.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Oct 19, 2020, 07:58 pm
From a purely sporting point of view, Vienna's tournament director Herwig Straka could hardly have gone better this year: seven top ten players will find their way to the Austrian capital, and the icing on the cake is the appearance of world number one Novak Djokovic.
So everything could be so beautiful if it weren't for the corona virus that is currently hovering over everything. The number of infections is increasing again almost everywhere in the world, and new highs have been regularly recorded in Austria in the past few days. For this reason, the government around Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz announced further tightening on Monday.
For indoor events like the tournament in the Wiener Stadthalle, an upper limit of 1,000 people will apply from Friday. In addition, MNS is mandatory for spectators during the entire event, the serving of drinks and food is prohibited. In addition, everyone present must sit in assigned seats.
Straka does not have to take back tickets
In view of the poor development, Straka had already speculated about further measures. "The capacity has been reduced again and again in the last few weeks. From originally 5,000 to 2,500, then 1,500 and after it had been foreseen in the last few weeks that things would not improve, but rather worsen, we prepared for the worst case and already expected that it will be even less, "said the Erste Bank Open Boss opposite SchauTV .
For this reason, not all tickers would have been sold: "In this respect, it is an extremely unpleasant situation from a financial point of view. Fortunately, organizationally, we do not have to take back any tickets. But we cannot sell any additional tickets - that is fine hurts bad."
Nevertheless, Straka & Co. will welcome up to 2,000 spectators per day in the days of Vienna. Because for the first time in the history of the tournament there are day and night sessions. The Styrian gives two reasons for this decision: "On the one hand, so that more people can watch and, on the other hand, that you are in the hall for a maximum of three to four hours. That is bearable even with the mouth and nose protection and without catering."
Cologne should not repeat itself
It is obvious that the contacts between players and fans are not going as usual this year. But you have come up with a lot - such as a virtual autograph session - emphasized Straka. The safety and health of everyone present would of course have top priority.
Straka does not expect Vienna to have a similar fate to the tournament in Cologne, when from one day to the next no more spectators were admitted : "I hope that it is settled with the very drastic and unfavorable regulation for us and we during The Erste Bank Open won't have to expect any surprises. We wouldn't understand any further restriction. " From the start of qualification on October 24th, the city hall will be one of the safest places in Austria's capital anyway due to the tests and the prevention concept.
Nadal is not coming to Vienna
Apart from the announced regulation of the federal government, Straka suffered another setback. French Open champion Rafael Nadal will not play in Vienna in Vienna. "We spoke at the end of last week. He won't come," said Straka.
But even without the Spaniard it is the "most difficult tournament of the entire season". "From the first round you have to reckon with the number twelve as the first round opponent," explained Straka. Dominic Thiem could also face this fate. According to Straka, the Austrian feels "fully motivated" before the end of the season and would like to defend his title in Vienna.
It will probably not be quite as atmospheric as last year in the town hall this year, but a good atmosphere could still arise. "We saw that at the French Open," said Straka, who promises the fans a great tournament week despite the corona pandemic: "With the field of players, it is also such a pleasure to just watch and not get any autographs."