Tennis fans can look forward to the world’s best player at the Berlin grass court tournament. But the organizers are sounding the alarm for the future of the tournament in Grunewald
The world number one Iga Swiatek has confirmed her participation in the Berlin tennis tournament in June.
“If you look at the last few weeks, she will of course be the absolute top favorite,” said tournament director Barbara Rittner at a press conference in the capital about the 22-year-old Pole. Overall, she is very proud of the starting field, said the 51-year-old. As things stand, nine of the top ten players in the world are taking part in the grass court event in Grunewald. They include German tennis star Angelique Kerber, who has a top 20 wild card, and Naomi Osaka from Japan.
In order to avoid the risk of top players canceling at short notice, the field of participants has been reduced to 28. Rittner explained that this would allow the stars to start the tournament a little later. At the event from June 15 to 23, the players will also prepare for the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.
The 51-year-old accused the Berlin Senate of a lack of support. Tennis is one of the flagship sports for women. “I have the feeling that Berlin doesn’t see that. I actually think that the tournament is rather rejected,” said Rittner. There is no financial support in Berlin like in other cities. In addition, it is difficult to even get into conversation with the Senate. “It would be a real shame if we were to lose this tournament due to a lack of support from all sides,” she said.
