Gerry Weber Open – Grass Court Extraordinaire! By Cheryl Jones

Written by: Staff on 12th June 2013

Gerry Weber Open - Grass Court Extraordinaire! By Cheryl Jones

epa02199462 Australia's Lleyton Hewitt and his opponent Switzerland's Roger Federer warm up prior to final of Gerry Weber Open in Halle, Germany, 13 June 2010. EPA/Bernd Thissen |

The Gerry Weber Open is a tournament that few, save the worlds’ top players, are aware of. It’s not because the players are second-rate. That’s never been an issue for this venue that now has a reputation as one of the best tennis events anywhere. For many years, Queens had been the premiere tournament that aided professional players in making the transition from the terre battue of Paris to the grass of Wimbledon. Now there is a choice. The GWO has proven to be a springboard for many of the most successful players on the storied lawns of Wimbledon. Roger Federer has led the way.

Queens has often had issues with rain and the condition of the courts was sometimes less than desirable. Many players past and present had complained about the uneven turf and other problems with the consistency of the surface. Now there is an option.

Twenty-two years ago, Gerry Weber had one of those “aha” moments where an inspiration popped up and soon it seemed as if it would be possible. It was an epiphany that turned a dream into reality. Not only was it a good idea, he worked diligently to coerce it to come to fruition. Now, entering its twenty-first year, many of the best players in the world make the journey to the small town of Halle. It seems as if the entire population of the city (and a good many folks from surrounding communities) comes together to play host to a big tournament that as advertised, has something for everyone.

Halle is a small town in Westfalen, Germany. It has seemed an idyllic setting for another kind of tournament from the onset. Weber constructed the event from the ground up. The first year, it rained. It was disheartening and Weber was discouraged until he had a thought. Much like a huge umbrella split in half, a closable roof was designed and more seats were constructed. The cover was soon a reality. No longer would there be rain delays that halted play. The closeable roof can keep any moisture from the playing surface as well as the spectators. It closes in mere seconds with barely more than a hiccup in the action.

It was a brilliant endeavor by Weber whose son Ralf is now the tournament director. The Weber’s have a touch of magic that pairs with all that they touch. The elder Weber is a clothing manufacturer. (It was that success that allowed him to even dream of what is now a permanent stop on the ATP tour.)

Roger Federer signed a lifetime contract with the GWO several years ago. It will have him in competition as long as there is life in his professional career. From the appearance of his game, it will be a long life, and a lengthy time before that contract has to be put in the “gone, but never forgotten” file.

On the Saturday before the tournament was underway, Federer arrived and was greeted with a reception at the Gerry Weber Sportpark Hotel. The maestro of modern tennis, Federer said, “I feel very comfortable here.” It seems a simple statement, but that is a huge part of the ambience – comfort.

The relaxed atmosphere is refreshing after the hustle and bustle of Paris. It is a pleasure to stroll the grounds and not be buffeted by others who are headed somewhere specific. This is the somewhere. Patrons stroll the grounds, happy to be here – never fearing that they will miss a thing. The competition is always just steps away. Beside the center court action, there are other matches on several other courts. There is entertainment on a shaded stage that has comfortable seating and tables to grab a bite and see much more than merely tennis. It’s entertainment on many levels, and it’s at its best. The Weber’s know how to stage an event.

For Federer, winning his first tournament in Halle in 2003 was the opening kick-off he had needed to begin his brilliant career. It will prove to be the hallmark for which others will strive for many years to come. It is as if the win here was the nudge he needed to gain entry into the rarified air of the professional game. Many excellent players come and go, and over the years, each has a special place in the history of the game. But Federer has that something that has always been visible – even as he played as a junior. He has a grasp of what is truly intended to be tennis.

A lot has changed for the Swiss phenomenon known over the world as a goodwill ambassador and much loved athlete. Last year, after a rare defeat at Halle, he was runner-up to German favorite, Tommy Haas. Still that win seemed to give him the impetus that propelled him toward his goal of another championship at Wimbledon. This year, he hopes for another path leading to a final on the famed lawns of London, but before that, Halle is waiting.

It was a lucky break for a Lucky Loser at the Gerry Weber Open, Tuesday afternoon at the GWO, Jerzy Janowicz of Poland pulled out with a shoulder injury and Mirza Basic of Bosnia/Herzegovina came out a real winner against German standout, Philipp Petzschner. After the match, the 21-year-old Basic (pronounced Bah-sick) spoke of his career. There was little or no background information to be found that would clarify just who he was and how he had managed to find his way here in the first place. On Wednesday, he will see Mischa Zverev across the net. Zverev is one of the many Germans who are thrilled to be playing in front of a “home” crowd. After yesterday’s match, Basic said that it was only the eighth time he had played a match on grass. How fortunate for him that it was here in Halle where the crowds are friendly and supportive, and the grass on center court is lush and green.

Roger Federer will make his tournament debut Wednesday evening, after having received a bye in the first round. His eleventh appearance at Halle follows his 36th straight Grand Slam quarterfinal where he fell to Jo-Wilifried Tsonga, in Paris. He has 900 career match wins up to now. (That’s fourth place in the Open Era, behind Jimmy Connors with 1,234, Ivan Lendl 1,071, and Guillermo Vilas with 923.) At 31, his career still looks to have enough life in it to pass Vilas. Connors and Lendl are another story. Wednesday should be another tick on his tally of matches that will move him one step closer to Vilas.

Twenty-eight men began their pursuit of the championship at the Gerry Weber Open. It won’t be easy for anyone to reach the final. The competition is furious. But, as always, it is quick. It feels like PDQ Tennis in Halle; the matches come and go fast. Each year, it gets better when it doesn’t seem as if it could. It will be a week of superb tennis. That is the Weber’s goal – and the promises made here are always made good.