IPL organizer Andre Begemann: "There was solidarity in the crisis"
A courageous trio is behind the "International Premier League" (IPL) presented by Merkur: Long-time Davis Cup player Andre Begemann (36 / Lemgo), his wife Alessa and professional tennis player Julian Lenz (27) from Gießen. The exhibition fight series, endowed with 150,000 euros over five weeks, has been a guest in Halle / Westphalia from the end of July until next Friday for the time being - at the location of the NOVENTI OPEN, the world-famous ATP 500 lawn event.
by PM
last edit: Aug 18, 2020, 01:40 pm
The declared motto of the IPL series is: "by players for players." In the interview, tournament director Andre Begemann and the two other initiators, Alessa Begemann and Julian Lenz, talk about the development of the tournament series for women and men, other event plans, the effects of the corona pandemic on tennis and the establishment of a players' union that is independent of the ATP. “The tendency towards this kind of lobbying is clear. Too many things are decided from above on the tour, ”says Begemann.
How did the 'International Premier League' come about, who came up with the idea?
Andre Begemann: “It was the end of April when training started again after the big lockdown. Julian and I are more of the types who really want to play matches, who need the goal of a competition. The training became monotonous, the question simply arose: What are we doing all this for, where is the perspective? More out of joke, we asked ourselves how it would be if we set up a camera and stream our training. One day we went a step further and thought: Why don't we organize an event ourselves? Then we wrote down everything that, based on our experience, is needed for a tournament. And we talked to other players. The response was overwhelming. Everyone said: If you do that, we'll be there. "
At first it should only be a German Premier League, right?
Andre Begemann: “Exactly. That had to do with the even stricter Corona rules at the time. But we had to change and rewrite our plans a few dozen times anyway, often three times a day. It was a fluid process, you had to be very flexible. Until one day the International Premiere League was in the towel. "
How did the HalleWestfalen location come into discussion?
Julian Lenz: “Halle is an important arena in German tennis. And we both, Andre and I, have a special connection to Halle. "
Andre Begemann: “Exactly, Julian won the trophy here together with Dominic Thiem at the youth tournament (note: Gerry Weber Junior Open 2011), and I won the ATP doubles (Gerry Weber Open 2014) against Roger Federer in the final. There is simply a great infrastructure, the short distances, the uncomplicated processes. In Ralf Weber we had a perfect partner. We were able to implement the hygiene regulations very effectively here. Curious: There really was another stray: One day a player called me and asked where for heaven's sake the tournament grounds here in Halle. He was in Halle an der Saale ... "
What feedback did you get from the players?
Julian Lenz: “The whole group is very happy about this tournament series. And about the conditions she finds. Everyone is happy to be on the pitch, to be in competition. The hunger for tennis has been very, very great. And Larifari is not played here, the level is sometimes incredibly high. The good thing is that we have a close relationship with the players. There is simply a very good connection between the tournament organization and the field of players. We also lived our motto: by players for players. "
You gave many players the opportunity to earn money again for the first time.
Julian Lenz: “That was also a central concern. We know that the top 100 to 150 are very well taken care of. That behind that, but very many have to worry about their job if there is no more income. It was very important that the German Tennis Association gave the first impetus with its tournament series. And then we followed this line and helped a wide range of professionals onto the pitch. We have also deliberately expanded the field as far as possible. Everyone who came into question and wanted to participate should also get their chance. "
Andre Begemann: “We have also made sure that we offer a platform to those professionals who want and have to make a living from tennis. Otherwise the sporting claim would have been watered down. And yet there was of course a great deal of breadth, from people like Jan-Lennard Struff and Philipp Kohlschreiber to promising talents who are only just beginning their careers. It was an exciting line-up. "
You had to raise money for the 'International Premiere League' from sponsors and partners. How difficult was the financing?
Andre Begemann: “Well, we bundled all contacts from our professional environment and addressed everyone who we thought would like to appear again as a partner, supporter and sponsor of tennis. And who sees added value for himself through this partnership. There were big differences. From those who were there immediately. Up to those who couldn't decide so quickly and also had financial difficulties. "
Alessa Begemann: “It was clear to us from the start that the search for potential partners and sponsors would be a challenge. We have therefore consistently divided the work: I have built a large network through my many years of experience in project and event management. Corona was of course a hurdle for many. Many just have to step back. So we got the answer more than once from potential sponsors: We are totally enthusiastic about tennis, we think the project is great, but the time is difficult for us. On the other hand, many also said: Please call again next year if you have something similar in mind. Julian and Andre focused on the tennis-specific things, but also brought their network for business with them. That is why we have particularly focused on the partners who have been supporting and promoting tennis in the community for many years. "
How was the feedback there?
Alessa Begemann: “With this project in particular, we were surprised and grateful how positively our ideas were received. It was particularly crucial for the design of the event concept that we received so much positive feedback. We have had a very close relationship with Merkur for many years. Right from the start you declared yourself to be the main sponsor of our event. Without such a commitment, the implementation on this scale would not have been possible. "
Are there any other tournaments in the pipeline?
Alessa Begemann: “In the last few weeks a lot of athletes have asked us: Are you going to another tournament soon? The response is really strong. We actually made this consideration, also with a view to the off-season in winter. But there is still nothing concrete to report. "
Is this business as a tournament organizer also a perspective for the future, for the time after your active career?
Andre Begemann: “We all wanted to get a taste of this business. And test whether we like it. It does, no question about it. That is why the idea is already there to get involved later. Quite simply because we know this industry inside out, from the player's point of view. As mentioned: We also have a different approach to the players, a relationship on an equal footing. Because that is also something that is missing on the tour: the cooperative cooperation. Too many things are decided from above without consulting the people it concerns. That applies to all player organizations. ”For us it was also a great opportunity that arose during this special time. We were suddenly able to take action in the great standstill and present ourselves with this event. In normal tour operation the barriers are otherwise closed, there you will find no access, no gap. So far it has been a lot of fun. And I've found a name for our new company: Fever Sports GmbH: Stop fever for sport. "
How has the Corona crisis affected the inner workings of tennis: Has the cohesion become greater? Or are the worlds drifting further apart on the tour?
Andre Begemann: “The observation at the 'International Premier League' was that the players are very closely connected. That there is solidarity in the crisis. At the same time, the gap to the functionaries has widened, and there were very few impulses and ideas from the institutions. A lot of trust was lost because many players thought: What is my co-employer actually doing for me in such a situation? There has already been a lot of alienation, there is now absolutely no closeness to the players. "
Will that lead to the formation of a players union?
Andre Begemann: “This tendency is clearly there. The tendency towards advocacy that is independent of the ATP. This has been discussed very intensively in gaming circles for a long time. But Corona has probably given these plans another boost. This is not a revolt. We just need a new body that represents pure player interests more effectively. "
We also had negative headlines during the Corona period. With indiscipline at events, with players who became infected with the virus. How did you experience your colleagues here at IPL?
Julian Lenz: “As very responsible, as professionals who were very aware of the consequences that wrongdoing would have. Everyone really stuck to the rules of the game. We have also repeatedly warned to adhere to the hygiene concept. We said what's at stake here. And that worked really well. "
What can we expect from the rest of the tennis season?
Andre Begemann: “It is with a heavy heart that we have to come to terms with the fact that there will be no full stages and the usual atmosphere for some time to come. The tournament calendar will change from time to time, and maybe there will be new opportunities for events like the IPL. It may be that I personally won't really get into tennis again until 2021. "
Julian Lenz: “I feel the same way personally. Corona had made me lose a little desire, simply because I lacked the competitive perspective. I don't worry about tournament engagements. It was just nice to experience tennis in a different role than co-organizer of this event. It made you want more. "