Halle Enjoys Great Popularity

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 17th June 2013

Halle Enjoys Great Popularity

epa03744411 Switzerland's Roger Federer returns the ball to Germany's Mischa Zverev during their quarter final match at the ATP tennis tournament in Halle, Westphalia, Germany, 14 June 2013. Federer won 6-0 and 6-0. EPA/OLIVER KRATO |

Nearly 110,000 tennis fans attended the 21st Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, which more than pleased tournament director Ralf Weber. Even though Rafael Nadal pulled out of the tournament to rest after his run to the French Open title, a strong field led by the wildly popular Roger Federer and local hero Tommy Haas was enough to keep people coming through the gates.

That is a recognition not only of the performances of the players but also the sign of confidence in the tournament, said Weber. “Every day we put together an attractive program with top matches on the courts but also with a strong entertainment offering with performances by Lena, The BossHoss, Johannes Oerding and Cascada, which is not seen elsewhere on the ATP Tour of this magnitude.”

Wimbledon CEO Philip Brook visited the grass court tournament and called it a major success story. Weber said that one of the reasons for that is they take satisfying the needs of their customers seriously.

Weber also said the tournament was satisfied with its new TV partner Eurosport. What they offer is major professionalism, he said.

“Eurosport is well established internationally in tennis, and this acceptance and quality benefits us. The daily ratings were in six figures and it helps to increase the awareness of the Gerry Weber Open.”

Weber also discussed the long partnership that the tournament has with Roger Federer and his charitable foundation. The tournament presented Federer with a check for 40,000 euros for his foundation.

Germany is one of the few countries in Europe now with a relatively healthy economy, which is good news for the tournament.

“We are looking forward with confidence,” Weber said. “The tournament has an excellent economic foundation and that foundation guarantees us a distinctive position in the world of tennis for the future.”

The tournament director added that Nadal does want to play Halle in 2014 and they are discussing a contract extension with his team.

However, Weber said that the tournament is no longer considering hosting a women s event. “We have created a premium brand with the Gerry Weber Open, and we want to continue to develop that status,” he said. “In addition, the future will show what we can do with our tournament starting in 2015 when the grass season is extended an additional week.”

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