The ATP 500 Series event in Hamburg will be known as the Hamburg Open European Championships from 2019, when Tennis Europe, the European Tennis Federation, awards the prestigious title to professional players for the first time.
The news was announced by Tennis Europe President Vladimir Dmitriev, Organiser Peter-Michael Reichel and Tournament Director Sandra Reichel at the event’s launch in the German city earlier today, along with a wave of other innovations.
Organisers plan to stage both ATP and WTA tournaments in 2020, allowing for Open European champions to be crowned on both professional tours.
Further details were also revealed about the creation of a new European Championship event for players aged 21 & Under. Tennis Europe’s 50 constituent national tennis associations will each be able to nominate their leading Next Generation players.
Tennis Europe President Vladimir Dmitriev commented, “I’d like to congratulate Mr. Reichel and his team on their ambition and commitment as they work to ensure that this event continues its path to becoming the world’s leading ATP 500 Series tournament. Tennis Europe’s involvement in top-level professional tennis for the first time is a milestone, but our presence in Hamburg also affords us the opportunity to meet and work with leaders from our member nations at what will be a true festival of tennis and a reference point in the international tennis calendar.”
Tennis Europe currently administers over 1,200 tennis events across the continent each year, from the Tennis Europe Junior Tour to ITF World Tennis Tour and Seniors Circuit tournaments. Until now, European Championship events have been held for junior players aged 14, 16 and 18 & Under (and feature over 20 current and former world #1s amongst the previous winners), and for seniors of all age categories, from 35 & Over to 85 & Over. The new events complete the portfolio of European titles.