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Erste Bank Open: “Tennis 2 Go” is a treat even before the tournament starts

The temporary hall set up on the grounds of the Vienna Ice Skating Club was surprisingly well attended on Friday afternoon.

by Jens Huiber
last edit: Oct 22, 2021, 05:07 pm

Frances Tiafoe and Alexei Popyrin had great fun on Friday afternoon
© private / tennisnet
Frances Tiafoe and Alexei Popyrin had great fun on Friday afternoon

Frances Tiafoe is a cheerful person. The American is still waiting for the big breakthrough on the ATP tour (he is currently 48th in the world rankings), but you can tell that Tiafoe enjoys his work every minute he is on you Tennis court is available. And there is no difference whether this is 225 minutes, like at the beginning of the week in Antwerp in an epic match against Andy Murray, or just a little more than 60 minutes on Friday afternoon in the newly erected hall at the Heumarkt.

“Tennis 2 Go” is the latest idea from the organizers of the Erste Bank Open, which is being implemented within walking distance of the center of Vienna. Just watch a bit of top tennis after work, or use the lunch break to get close to the stars of the scene with colleagues. The response was already great on Friday, which in turn was also due to the entertainer qualities of Frances Tiafoe. Not that the fans came. But very well, that quite a few stayed until the time when Tiafoe was applauded and said goodbye by Cristian Garin.

Tiafoe with coach Ferreira

Tiafoe had booked Alexei Popyrin as a training partner, the Austrian tennis fans will remember the young Australian, he had eliminated a Dominic Thiem weakened by an illness at the Australian Open at the beginning of 2019. Both players did not take the exchange of blows too seriously, but good rallies were still acknowledged with applause from the fans. Where can you find something like that on the tour? At the side of Frances Tiafoe, Wayne Ferreira has been working for some time now, who was once represented in the absolute top of the world, but a little removed from his competitive condition at the time.

In the early Friday evening, the tent roof should really lift, the Red Bull Bassline with a prominent cast promises some entertaining hours. Frances Tiafoe is not invited, at least not as a player. But if a speaker should be wanted spontaneously: Tiafoe talked really warm while practicing with Popyrin.

by Jens Huiber

Friday
Oct 22, 2021, 05:40 pm
last edit: Oct 22, 2021, 05:07 pm