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The city of 9000 souls of Höhr-Grenzhausen is currently the center of the tennis world. The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is currently demonstrating how crown tennis works. CNN, New York Times and ESPN report on it. Because it will be the first professional tennis tournament since the tour was interrupted due to the Corona pandemic in March.
28-year-old German Yannick Hanfmann (ATP 143), who was a finalist in Gstaad three years ago, is the first winner. Hanfmann defeated compatriot Johannes Härteis 4-0, 4-1. Dustin Brown even wins two singles. The two are the best known professionals in the four-day event.
The games will air on various live streams. In addition to the two players, there is only one referee on the court; There are no ball boys and linesmen. Organizers want to allow professionals to compete. There are also a few hundred euros to win. After all
“The police checked everything in the morning”
“It was great, actually,” says Hanfmann of the German news agency SID. “A little strange, yes. But it’s good to be back. Finally!
The actors enter the plaza wearing a face-to-face mask and simply leave them for the party. Shaking hands on the net is strictly prohibited. Instead, the players bow to each other. «We are at a distance, there is disinfectant everywhere. In the morning the police were even there and went through everything again, ”describes Hanfmann.
Mood like training match
Because the ball boys and especially the spectators are missing, it seems to Hanfmann “like a training match with a friend.” The atmosphere is sad in the unadorned triple room. “They could record music, somehow,” Hanfmann and his opponent Johannes Härteis shouted at each other when they changed sides.
The appearance at Höhr-Grenzhausen is only the beginning. It is still an entertainment tournament with eight German participants. Hanfmann is the best ranked number 143 in the world.
Based on this example, the German Tennis Association is preparing a complete series that is scheduled to start on June 8 and will offer 32 men and 24 women the opportunity to play professional tennis. (SID, SDA, sme)
