Generali Race to Kitzbühel: Defied the rain in Bruck an der Mur and Deutsch Wagram
At the tournaments of the Generali Race to Kitzbühel 2021 in Bruck an der Mur and Deutsch Wagram, the weather presented the organizers with major problems. It was still possible to play.
by Claus Lippert
last edit: Jul 22, 2021, 05:56 pm
Eight weeks after the start of the Generali Race to Kitzbühel in the Middle Region with the tournament double pack in Carinthian Annenheim and the Upper Austrian capital Linz, the hobby players were finally able to score points for the region again last weekend on the beautifully situated tennis facility of ESV Bruck an der Mur Center.
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It was the weekend of constant rain with floods and destruction. If, like the Generali Race Quali tournament in the beautiful Murtal, you "only" have to spend the Saturday moving to the hall, then you literally got away with a black eye. From a sporting point of view, the second title win in the ITN-7 category by Upper Austrian Alfred Pimminger, who was able to secure his Kitzbühel ticket for the big final tournament before the last qualifying tournament in Leoben, was particularly noticeable. At the last moment, on the other hand, an old friend of the Generali Race to Kitzbühel jumped on the train to Kitzbühel. Klaus Hauser, winner and car winner 2018, won the ITN 6 competition and is already planning to expand the garage in Nettingsdorf.
Flooded hall in Deutsch-Wagram
The qualification for the Eastern Region in the Generali Race 2021 is through, but had an exciting tennis weekend at its last stop at the TC Deutsch Wagram. The Lower Austrian municipality with its traditional tennis facility was hit hardest of the three venues for the Generali Race on the last weekend after devastating rainfalls. Tournament director Martin Zehetner mastered this difficult situation with his helpers and was able to hand over crystal six times to the proud winners.
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The theme of the weekend was also the weather in Deutsch Wagram. It seemed that on the northern outskirts of Vienna they had been spared the rain on the Saturday of the tournament, and that the second matchday could be handled without any problems. But appearances were deceptive, and just before the onset of the darkness the storm hit eastern Austria full and merciless. At first, only the outside courts were unplayable after a flash flood before the real disaster set in. The entire hall of the TC Deutsch Wagram was flooded - and is out of order for weeks. Tournament director Martin Zehetner and his helpers fought tirelessly against the water masses on site, and so the outdoor clay courts were ready for use again after a morning session. There the sporting decisions could also be admired, with Lenny Wilmink living up to his role as a favorite in class 2.5. In the 4-man competition, veteran Günther Meyringer became a celebrated hero by winning the title. The tragic hero of this competition was Raphael Smekal, who will also be out for Kitzbühel with a torn cruciate ligament.
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Drama and tears in the final of the ITN-7 competition
In the 5-man competition, Johannes Lahner, who was only 13 years old, put his talent to the test with his tournament victory, while in the ITN 7-man competition, two old HTT acquaintances fought for the last 10 race points. Ali Sharif versus Antranik Kemanjian, a final pairing as a tournament director's nightmare. If the two compete on the court, then a marathon is inevitable. This time even with all the trimmings, like cramps, tears, brilliant blows and the better end for Africa's HTT star Ali Sharif. In the 8-man competition, Germany's Samuel Schneider had to give the final against Norbert Hubl where. The reason: His corona vaccination in Munich. Unfortunately, the double competition had to be canceled due to the delays after the bad weather chaos.