Tommy Haas vs. Dominic Thiem - Premiere in Hangar 6
In times of intense competition, the event organizers are also looking for unique selling points in the form of unusual locations. With the implementation of the second part of bett1ACES in Hangar 6 of the former Berlin Tempelhof Airport, the Austrian e-motion Group has definitely succeeded in a coup.
by Florian Heer
last edit: Jul 17, 2020, 08:18 pm
By Florian Heer from Berlin
Tempelhof was one of the first commercial airports in Germany. Already in 1923, it started operating as a line and was one of three international airports in the Berlin area until it closed in October 2008. The airport gained worldwide fame during the blockade of West Berlin in 1948/49 when Tempelhof was used by the legendary raisin bombers as an airlift to transport food and goods. Today, the site, with a total area of almost four million square meters, is used for sightseeing in the listed airport building, as a film and television backdrop and for hosting various events. An ATP Challenger Tour tournament was also planned here. This weekend, tennis is finally the focus.
A Douglas DC-4 stands decoratively in front of the imposing gates to Hangar 6. In the interior of the hall, which was originally used for the maintenance and overhaul of aircraft, there is the playing field with rather sparsely populated grandstands at both ends. A total of 298 people were in the hangar on Friday, but only 300 are officially permitted. The game is played on a rebound-ace surface. Single court only. As with the first part of the tennis exhibition on the lawn in the Steffi Graf stadium, line judges are dispensed with. A computer voice takes over exclamations.
Sinner victorious
Conditions that the Italian Jannik Sinner knows very well. Last November, the 18-year-old youngster won the title at the experimental next-gen finals in Milan under similar conditions.
"I like playing indoors. In addition, the view here is of course excellent, ”said Sinner after his 6-3, 7-6 success in the quarterfinals about the Russian Karen Khachanov. In the round of the last four, the teenager will have to deal with the number 2 seeded Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
Haas confesses love for tennis
In the second semifinal of the men, Grunewald winner Dominic Thiem and Tommy Haas will meet on Saturday. The now 42-year-old Haas showed by a 7-6, 7-6 victory over Jan-Lennard Struff that he is still in top shape.
"When I found out that I would get the chance to play again, I prepared myself accordingly," said Haas in his subsequent press conference and thanked his physiotherapist Carlos Costa, referring to his sufficient fitness.
“I was able to show quite good tennis against Jannik, which gave me confidence. I also love this sport. For me it is the best sport there is, no question. I want to show the other people a little that you can still play cool tennis in older years if you feel like it. I can play freely here without pressure. It's really fun. "
First match against Thiem
The former number 2 in the world is particularly looking forward to the duel with the top seeded Thiem at bett1ACES. “I'm a big fan of his game, especially his backhand, of course. If the one-handed backhand boys are reissued, he will definitely be there. Now it is time to regenerate in order to be able to counteract it as best as possible. ”
Further interesting encounters in a spectacular environment are guaranteed.