Rothenbaum champions Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Nikoloz Basilashvili commit to play
Rothenbaum champions Elena-Gabriela Ruse and Nikoloz Basilashvili are set to return to this year’s Hamburg European Open! The Romanian defending champion and the Georgian winner in 2018 and 2019 gave their early commitment to the combined event from July 16–24, 2022. “I love the city and people of Hamburg,” said “Gabi” Ruse, who won her first WTA title last year as a qualifier with a final victory over tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic. “The start of a beautiful journey started for me in Hamburg. I look forward to coming back to the place that gave me so much,” emphasized the 24-year-old rising star. The world women’s No. 52 recently made her comeback at the Masters tournament in Rome after having to take a month off due to heart inflammation.
“Niko” Basilashvili also celebrated his premiere tournament victory in the Hanseatic city in 2018; he successfully defended his title in 2019. “I feel the love from the Hamburg crowd. It would be a dream come true to get the title hat trick in Hamburg,” said the world No. 25, who has now recorded five tournament victories, the last triumph coming in Munich in 2021. “I am more than happy to return to Hamburg. This beautiful city and this great stadium are very special for me,” said the 30-year-old, whose partner is also from Hamburg. He first met her on the sidelines of the Rothenbaum tournament.
“I am delighted that our two former champions are competing again this year in Hamburg,” said tournament director Sandra Reichel. “‘Gabi’ is an absolutely thrilling competitor on the court, and off the court she’s an incredibly nice and cheerful person.” Had she not become a tennis pro, the talented singer from Bucharest would have pursued a career in opera. About Basilashvili, Sandra Reichel said: “‘Niko” is not a man of many words off the court, preferring instead to let his tennis do the talking. And on a good day, he can beat anyone with his powerful shot making.” The man from Tbilisi made sports history for his home country as the first Georgian to win an ATP tournament. His highest ranking so far – 16th – came in 2019.
Basilashvili is the third ATP player to confirm early his participation in the Hamburg European Open 2022, behind Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Danish rising star Holger Rune. In the women’s competition, tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic and top ten player Danielle Collins from the USA have already committed alongside Ruse.
