Fantastic news for tennis fans in Germany! The 2020 edition of the Hamburg European Open is taking place from September 19 to 27. The ATP 500 clay-court event was originally scheduled for mid-July but had to be postponed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The ATP issued on Friday an updated calendar with the traditional Rothenbaum tournament to be held the week prior to Roland Garros. Under the new schedule, the Internazionali BNL d’Italia will now be held in Rome one week earlier, in the week previously assigned to the recently cancelled Mutua Madrid Open. The ATP Masters 1000 event in Rome will be followed by the Hamburg European Open, which will be the lone ATP tournament to take place this week.

Andrea Gaudenzi, ATP Chairman, said: “Tennis is starting to find its way back and, while we must first and foremost look after the health and safety of everyone involved, we are hopeful we will be able to retain these playing opportunities and produce a strong finish to the season. I would like to commend the tournaments for their continued commitment, flexibility and resourcefulness in finding solutions to operate under these challenging circumstances.”

Sandra Reichel, Hamburg European Open tournament director, is looking forward to the event, which will be held in the lead-up to the French Open: “We are very happy that we could get this great spot on the provisional calendar of the ATP.”

Due to the current Covid-19 crisis, precautionary health measures will be implemented on-site. “The health and safety of the players, their teams, fans and all people involved in the tournament remains our top priority,” Reichel pointed out.

New look of the venue

This year’s Hamburg European Open will be played at the renovated Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium with a capacity of 10,000 seats. However, due to ongoing social distancing rules in Germany, the number of spectators, who will be allowed to attend the matches, will be reduced.

The Centre Court underwent full modernization over the past 18 months in the amount of €10 million including an €8 million donation from The Alexander Otto Sports Foundation. The Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, the German Tennis Federation (DTB) and local tennis and field hockey club, Club an der Alster, provided the remaining funds for the project, highlighted by an updated retractable roof and stadium façade – symbolic of the entire complex – as well as new seats for spectators.

Alongside improvements to its main stadium, the event has also renovated its players’ centre, press centre and site entrance. The tournament’s previous Hall of Fame has also been upgraded, with a new, digital ‘Walk of Champions’ taking its place.

“We have raised the venue to a new level. Getting the opportunity to open the Centre Court with a tournament to be held just ahead of the French Open is fantastic. Players and spectators will be delighted with the new Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium,” Alexander Otto said.