This Corpus Christi holiday was a real tennis holiday for the fans at the 32nd TERRA WORTMANN OPEN. Both in the sold-out OWL ARENA and on the side courts, Italian spectators in particular got their money's worth.
Anyone strolling around the grounds on Roger-Federer-Allee on Thursday had the feeling of being in Italy at times. Conversations in Italian can be heard again and again, the rows of spectators hang several flags of the tricolour in green, white and red, and orange shirts are proudly displayed by Jannik Sinner's fans.
The Italian tennis community is honouring the wave of success that their compatriots are currently riding on, and are travelling all the way to East Westphalia to follow their stars. Just like the three friends Vittorio Raffone, Vittorio Saggese and Vincenzo D'Apice, who have travelled from near Naples via Berlin to Halle for two days of tennis. ‘The success of our boys comes as no surprise,’ says Vittorio Raffone, who is a tennis teacher himself. "The association launched an intensive programme 20 years ago, in which many coaches were well qualified and additional Challenger tournaments were organised. Now we are reaping the rewards."
Flavio Cobolli (ATP 24) doesn't seem to feel uncomfortable in the shadow of superstar Sinner. The 23-year-old had to fight hard against Denis Shapovalov (ATP 31) in three sets, but eventually prevailed 7:6 (2), 4:6, 7:6 (5) on the schauinsland-reisen court. The three friends from Naples sit directly behind the players' bench and raise their cheering fists to their compatriot.
‘It's brilliant how close we are to the action here,’ says Vittorio Saggese, who is impressed by the atmosphere at the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN on his first visit. "Compared to other tournaments, it's great to meet the pros on the course before or after the matches. We were able to take selfies with all the Italians."
Later, they cheer on the doubles team of Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori as well as Lorenzo Sonego against Alexander Zverev and, of course, Jannik Sinner. For the three friends, one thing is clear: they want to come back to Halle. They will be travelling home on Friday - and will be keeping their fingers crossed that their compatriots will be allowed to play at the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN until Sunday.
