First Serve at the new Rothenbaum
Over the past 18 months, the site of the Hamburg European Open has been transformed. The new look of the Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium, at the heart of the tournament’s renovations, was presented to the public today. Hamburg’s Sports Senator Andy Grote, entrepreneur and patron Alexander Otto, Vice President of the German Tennis Federation (DTB) Hans-Wolfgang Kende and the first chairman of the Club an der Alster, Dr. Carsten Lütten, made the first serves on Centre Court.
The tournament received about €10m in funding to complete the site improvements, including an €8m donation from the Alexander Otto Sports Foundation. His company ECE also took over the project management and design planning. The City of Hamburg contributed €1m to the renovation of the roof. The German Tennis Federation with its subsidiary DTB Stadion and Marketing GmbH, as well as local tennis and field hockey club, Club an der Alster, provided the remaining funds for the project.
A QUARTET MADE THE FIRST SERVE AT THE NEW ROTHENBAUM: Hans-Wolfgang Kende (Vice President German Tennis Federation DTB), Andy Grote (Senator of the Interior and Sports Hamburg), tournament director Sandra Reichel, Alexander Otto (Entrepreneur and Maezen), Dr. Carsten Luetten (1st Chairman “Der Club an der Alster”/from left) opened the renovated stadium.
Modernization measures included:
Entrance plaza
The entrance area to the stadium has been redesigned. The result is a spacious and friendly entrance situation with a new box office and info point. Benches and green spaces increase the quality of stay.
Visitor stands
All seats have been replaced with modern ones. The seats were given a colour scheme with a pixel look, which serves to improve orientation inside the stadium. Each stand was designed in its own colour. After the renovation, the capacity of the stadium will be about 10,000 seats. The number of places for wheelchair users has been increased up to 30 and those for visually impaired people up to 100.
Walk of Champions
The tournament’s previous Hall of Fame has been upgraded, with a new, digital ‘Walk of Champions’ taking its place. Visitors can use QR codes to find out more about previous tournament winners and the tournament’s history. With a new and fresh look, the place invites you to linger and discover.
Roof membrane
The inner and outer roof membrane has been completely renewed, and the engine technology of the retractable roof has been renovated.
Facade
The facades were given a new and contemporary look and the old sun protection of the window systems was replaced.
Public toilet facilities
All public toilet facilities in the stadium have been refurbished and modernized.
Signage systems
The venue has been given new, clear signs for better orientation.
Outer courts M1 / M2
The wooden benches of the outer courts M1 / M2 used during the tennis tournament have been partially renovated.
Player areas
The players’ areas have been extensively renovated and modernized. This includes the changing rooms, showers, and the players’ lounge.
“I am delighted with the result. The stadium has been completely renovated and with its now international, modern look, a successful re-positioning of the Rothenbaum brand takes place. It is great to see what we have created here as partners. Players and visitors are invited to come and stay at the Hamburg European Open, which is the perfect framework to celebrate the stadium’s inauguration,” Alexander Otto said.
Some of the most popular players competing in the tournament also sent out their messages.
Stefanie Graf, six-time Rothenbaum winner: “I am very pleased that the Rothenbaum venue continues to be an important sports facility for the city of Hamburg thanks to the great support from Alexander Otto and his sports foundation. The Rothenbaum tournaments have always been fixed dates on the tennis calendar for the players and the spectators for many years and have become important milestones in my career. Thanks to the tournaments, Hamburg has become an important mainstay for me, and I am still closely connected to the city through my foundation. I would like to thank Alexander Otto and all those involved who made this modernisation possible and I am pleased that many tennis fans can experience exciting matches in this beautiful stadium again.”
Michael Stich, 1993 Rothenbaum champion: “Now the time has come! The new Center Court will open its doors and it will surely be an absolute dream! I think it is great that Alexander Otto is so committed, giving the players the chance to experience a completely new feeling on court. Of course, the spectators will also be happy about it the same way. I will always carry the Rothenbaum in my heart.”
Boris Becker, 1990 Rothenbaum finalist: “I am also pleased that the Rothenbaum site has finally been renovated. I have many memories of the tournament. Most of them are pretty good. Well, we do not talk about one or the other defeat. We are in 2020 and I am pleased that the Rothenbaum will shine in its old splendour again. “
Rafael Nadal, Rothenbaum champion in 2008 and 2015: “Hamburg is a very important tournament for me. I won the title twice here and enjoyed unforgettable matches. I remember my first win against my current coach and close friend Carlos Moya in 2003. I also know that my 81-match winning streak came to an end in the 2007 final against Roger [Federer]. The new Centre Court is going to be great. I want to congratulate you and wish you the best. “
Henri Leconte, 1986 Rothenbaum champion: „Let us talk about Hamburg tournament. One of the best tournaments for sure, because in Germany I won in Hamburg and I beat Boris Becker. I heard there is a new stadium and I would be very pleased to come back and celebrate that with you all together.“
Kim Clijsters, 2002 Rothenbaum champion: „I just want to wish the Rothenbaum a big, big, big congratulations and all my best wishes for the opening of the new stadium. For me, when I was a little girl playing in such a big stadium under a closed roof was an incredible feeling, very overwhelming, but a really unique feeling. Being the last female WTA player to win the tournament was exciting. So congratulations, and I hope I get to see it in person soon.“
Martina Hingis, Rothenbaum winner of 1998 and 2000: „I just wanted to say hello and best wishes for the re-opening of the Hamburg European Open stadium. I had great memories there, I played my first finals when I was 15 and was able to win the doubles tournament with Gigi Fernandez. It was an awesome time. My two titles that I was able to win will always have a special place in my heart. I also hope to get an invitation to be able to see the new site.”
Tommy Haas, Rothenbaum runner-up 2012: “I cannot wait to come back soon to see the new stadium. I attended the event when I was seven or eight years old and experienced the professionals from back then live right on my doorstep. I would have loved to have won the tournament once. I only reached the final. But I have a lot of wonderful memories.”
