Generali Open 2022: Kitzbühel is ready for Thiem and Co.
The Generali Open 2022 will start tomorrow, Saturday, with the qualifying tournament. And the draw for the peloton, which starts on Monday.
by Jens Huiber
last edit:
Jul 22, 2022, 06:55 pm
By Jens Huiber from Kitzbühel
One often wonders how exactly the cars that can be (or were) won in a surprising number of tournaments in German-speaking countries get into exactly the position in which they usually remain diagonally next to the center court for a week before they are handed over to the respective champion on a turnkey basis. There are probably ramps in play, which then disappear as if by magic, also in Kitzbühel, where the Generali Open 2022 with the matches of the main draw will start on Monday.
One of the special features in Kitzbühel this year, however, is that the stately vehicle, a fully electric CUPRA BORN, will not be presented to the tournament winner of the traditional ATP Tour 250 event. But an amateur who prevailed in the Generali Race to Kitzbühel against competitors from Austria, Germany, Switzerland, oh, what: the interested hobby tennis world.
The professionals play for world ranking points, a handsome prize money - and in cases like Dominic Thiem also to further strengthen self-confidence. The Kitzbühel champion of 2019 is on an excellent path, especially in the last respect, in the semi-finals in Gstaad Thiem will meet Matteo Berrettini tomorrow. He will also see him again in Kitzbühel.
Thiem on Tuesday in the night session
However, this does not apply to Gael Monfils and Oscar Otte. Both had to cancel due to injury, both had the potential to inspire the Kitzbühel tennis audience. Monfils anyway, but also Otte, who finally made his breakthrough on the ATP tour this season, brings an exciting game and a pretty easygoing personality. And due to an intervention on the meniscus, he can't play at the moment. Veteran Monfils, on the other hand, has been struggling with a foot injury for months.
#IMG2#
And so it will only be decided in the draw on Saturday morning who will get a fixed place in the 28-strong main draw grid. And who might still just slip into the qualification. There was not much activity on the facility of the Kitzbühel tennis club on Friday around noon, which may have been due to the very sporty temperatures. A cool down is announced for Saturday, after which the weather should move back to the ATP top level.
For the fans it will be really hot for the first time on Tuesday evening at the latest. Because Dominic Thiem is scheduled for the night session (from 7:30 p.m. live in our ticker and on ServusTV). Against whom and whether as a (at least) Gstaad finalist, tomorrow will show.
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