Inaugural wheelchair tennis event
The new venue didn’t just bring more fans, but also broadened the event’s scope. For the first time, the Erste Bank Open hosted a wheelchair tennis competition, which was met with great enthusiasm.
Britain’s Gordon Reid claimed the title in impressive fashion. The world No. 5 defeated France’s Stéphane Houdet, 6-3, 6-1 in Saturday’s final, earning a winner’s check of €5,000.
“It’s been an incredible experience to be here,” said Reid after his victory. “Everyone has shown us great appreciation from the first minute – you really feel part of the tournament family. Playing today on Centre Court, with such an amazing atmosphere, was a dream come true.”
Straka sees this as a step toward further growth. “We want to make the event even more inclusive and ensure that no one in Vienna or Austria can overlook it,” he said. “That’s why we’re also considering a women’s tournament, allowing the Erste Bank Open to serve as a launchpad for Austrian tennis.”
