Tournament Director Ralf Weber has described the anniversary edition of the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN as an "emotionally strong and worthy birthday party": "I am happy that we experienced rousing world-class tennis and great entertainment," said Weber on the final weekend. The ATP 500 grass-court classic had celebrated its 30th anniversary and 30th edition with a top-class line-up of top professionals and renowned musical artists. "Our "Tennistainment" concept proved its worth again in this special year," said Weber.
For the title sponsor, Wortmann AG, Sven Wortmann (member of the supervisory board) spoke of a "really nice birthday party" that more than clearly underlined the attractiveness of HalleWestphalia as a location for professionals and fans: "We felt a great atmosphere. And we were happy with the guests that they had fun at this tournament, at their visit." The computer manufacturer itself had invited numerous partners and business customers: "This is a thrilling experience for many, the Centre Court action, but also the spacious VIP area in the Event Centre."
Besides the thrilling duels on the match courts, the visit of legend Roger Federer turned out to be the emotional highlight of the tournament week in Halle-Westphalia. "Roger's reunion with the tennis family in Halle was a moment that touched me deeply," said Weber. The tournament director had honoured the 41-year-old Swiss on Wednesday for his outstanding services to Germany's most important men's tennis competition in the OWL ARENA. Federer had then demonstrated his well-known proximity to fans with a 70-minute autograph session on the tournament site and also posed for hundreds of selfies with fans from Germany and all over the world.
There was one more moving moment for tournament director Weber, as the 20-time Grand Slam champion had brought him a literally memorable gift - the racket Federer had played with in his very last appearance at the Laver Cup last September, in doubles alongside friend and companion Rafael Nadal. "I don't think you can demonstrate much more the bond that exists between him and the tournament and with me," Weber explained. According to Weber's idea, the already historic racquet should find a permanent place in the Legends Club. Weber himself was also honoured during the tournament week for his extraordinary achievements for German tennis with the DTB Award by the President of the German Tennis Federation, Dietloff von Arnim.
The tournament director also paid particular tribute to the performances of the German professionals, not only during the week of the TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, but throughout the spring of the 2023 season. "You can feel that there is a fresh wind blowing through German men's tennis right now," Weber said. "This has also contributed to the fact that we experienced a noticeable rush for tickets in the weeks leading up to the start of the tournament. Tennis in Halle simply attracts - with world stars and German aces. The spectator stands were much more crowded than last year." A total of 104,000 visitors came to the 30th TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, thus breaking the mark of three million spectators since 1993.
Olympic champion Alexander Zverev has become "an absolute crowd favourite," said Weber: "He feels really comfortable with us, is here with his family and girlfriend, enjoys the time next to the matches on Centre Court, likes to play a round of golf." On Thursday alone, Zverev made several appointments and autograph sessions on the tournament grounds, much to the delight of the fans. Weber also had high praise for local hero Jan-Lennard Struff: "After a gruelling week in Stuttgart, he gave it his all here, gave it his all. He is a real popular figure, an honest worker. That is also honoured by the people."
For next year, at the 31st TERRA WORTMANN OPEN, Weber again promised a world-class field, one of the best in the ATP 500 series. Besides the reunion with Alexander Zverev, the start of Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Jannik Sinner and Felix Auger-Aliassime is contractually fixed. "However, we are still in talks with other top players, of course we are also strongly focusing on potential stars of tomorrow," said Weber.
On the occasion of the birthday celebrations, the Halle location was the topic of conversation throughout the tennis world, Weber explained: "The tournament was broadcast in over 150 countries around the world. In Germany, there was the tried and tested channel combination of Eurosport and ZDF, which is also unique in tennis. In addition, the entire tribute to Roger Federer was shown on Eurosport.
