Rublev wins the Erste Bank Open: A tennis festival for sport in dark days
Andrey Rublev won the title at what was probably the last sports festival in front of at least partially full ranks and qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals. A review of a strong week for the Russian, but also a strong week for the organizers.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: Nov 02, 2020, 10:52 am
By Michael Rothschädl from the Wiener Stadthalle
Andrey Rublev not only ended the final of the Erste Bank Open with a loud cheer, he also ended a tournament that offered a beautiful, secure parallel reality for seven days. A reality in which world-class tennis is also rewarded with applause from the stands. A reality that will no longer exist in the coming weeks, that cannot exist.
The 1000 spectators and the associated background noise in the Wiener Stadthalle will be replaced on Monday by the next ghost event, when the ATP Masters 1000 event in Paris will start. In a city that is struggling with the crisis like no other in Europe. The fight against COVID-19 is also a bitter one in London. A crazy season will be decided in the British capital with the final of the eight best players of the season. In front of empty ranks, of course.
Rublev with an Austrian background
"We players really appreciate that, many thanks to the organizers of the tournament", Andrey Rublev was also supposed to tell Herwig Straka. The 2020 event was "an investment" and the aim was to make tennis fans happy. That succeeded. With a field of participants stronger than ever on Austrian soil, with one exception from the tournament host broadcaster from the private broadcaster ServusTV, who performed the important role of TV broadcasting par excellence.
"Many thanks to everyone who came," said a humble Herwig Straka to the 1000 or so people who patiently attended the award ceremony. Everything was done to ensure the most safe atmosphere possible. Nevertheless, it is not a matter of course to come here. A little later you should hear how Andrey Rublev announced a hitherto hidden connection to the Alpine republic. His grandmother, according to the 23-year-old, was born in Austria, but moved to Russia as a child. "She was one of the most important people in my life. I lived with her until I was 16 because my school was nearby. Grandfather took me to tennis training, she prepared food and studied with me," recalls the Russian. Only a few weeks ago his grandmother died.
Start in Paris
This loss did not change anything in the Russian's game. Without losing a set, without losing a service game, the Russian stormed to title number five this season - not only a record for him, no other player has won more trophies in 2020. "These results give me the confidence that I am on the right track," the Russian was to explain after winning the title. The most important thing now is to continue working, to improve the weaknesses, to reach your "limit". Understatement is the program for the 23-year-old.
This does not end if the Russian is asked about his qualification for the Nitto ATP Finals, which is linked to winning the title. "It's going to be cool to see what I have to work on when I compete with the best in the world," said Rublev. Before that, however, he would "play Paris 100%". The tasks of Jannik Sinner and Kevin Anderson could have saved energy. "I feel great physically." This is also evident on the pitch.
While Rublev will go to France on Monday morning, Austria will say goodbye to another lockdown on Tuesday. A good 5500 new infections were reported on a tournament day. In the next few weeks, not only the players but also the tennis fans will benefit from this event.