Vienna Padel Open: The anticipation is rising
There are still 22 days until the Vienna Padel Open 2023. During a press conference on Friday there were updates and information on the way to the WPT tournament in the Steffl Arena. Everyone involved is already looking forward to it, from May 20th to 28th the best padel players in the world will come to Austria's capital.
by p.m
last edit: Apr 29, 2023, 05:26 pm
The preparations turn three weeks before the start on the home stretch. “This is a year-round project for us, and we started preparing for this year right after the end of the first edition last year. The feedback after the premiere was extremely positive, but there are still many lessons learned. We want to get even bigger and better this year,” says tournament director Dominik Beier, Managing Director at organizer e|motion. "All the top players will come to us again."
Tournament ambassador Marc Janko can't wait to keep an eye on the best players in the world. "I've been playing padel for many years, even when I was active I used to grab a racket on the side. It was love at first sight. I'm playing solidly now, but I'm a long way from Austria's best. The sport is for the whole family, young and old. You get into it quickly and celebrate success. The international elite play at an unbelievably high level, you have to see that. I can only recommend everyone to come to the Steffl Arena and experience it.”
From the ice rink to the padel arena
In the next few days the Steffl Arena will be very busy. On Thursday evening, Austria's national ice hockey team played an international match, now the ice surface is being thawed and the center court and a side court for the Vienna Padel Open are being built in the main hall. There are already five courts in Hall 3, which can currently be booked via the PADELZONE and which will also be used during the Vienna Padel Open.
After the press conference, tournament ambassador Marc Janko lent a hand himself. At the celebrity tournament, the ex-soccer player played against his former teammates Andreas Ivanschitz, Sebastian Prödl and Alexander Grünwald. Ex-team goalie Michael Konsel also showed his padel skills, beach volleyball player Clemens Doppler, boxer Marcos Nader, cabaret artist Klaus Eckel and ex-handball player Conny Wilczynski were also there with enthusiasm.
"The padel passion grabbed me some time ago. It's a brilliant sport, it goes back and forth, but you still get into it quickly. It's really cool what's been done here - hopefully I can also be a spectator at the Vienna Padel Open this year," said ex-team kicker Sebastian Prödl. Victory in the celebrity tournament ultimately went to soccer coach Oliver Lederer and Patrick Mazan (Radio Energy).
Tournament director Dominik Beier summed up with satisfaction: "You can see that Padel has grown enormously and is now a household name for many people. The celebrities did well and showed talent, maybe one or the other will start a padel career. There is still a lot to do for our team, the next three weeks will certainly be intense. But we look forward to it.”