The 2023 Hamburg European Open is ready to cast off – figuratively speaking. At a press briefing in the “Norddeutscher Regattaverein” clubhouse on Hamburg’s Outer Alster, Hamburg’s Senator of the Interior and Sports Andy Grote, Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, Tournament Ambassador Andrea Petkovic and local hero Eva Lys got in the mood for the 117th edition of the clay court classic. Amongst other things, the focus was on who the wildcards have been awarded to. Germans Lys and Jule Niemeier have been handed a place in the women’s main draw and compatriots Maximilian Marterer and Rudi Molleker will be in the mix for the men’s.

For the second year in succession, the tournament is being held as a combined men’s and women’s event. For Grote, this is precisely why the tournament is a flagship event for sports in the northern German city. “Like last year, we are looking forward to a combined women’s and men’s tournament in the “Active City”, something that is unique in Germany. The appeal of the Rothenbaum tournament is made obvious by the attractive line-up with numerous top international male and female players. The return of Alexander Zverev to Rothenbaum is a special highlight that will electrify the atmosphere during the nine days of tournament featuring non-stop top-class international tennis. We will additionally be making tennis accessible to everybody by means of a wide-ranging inclusive programme of side events and it will also show how sport unites people across all differences.”

After the highly positive response to last year’s combined event, the bar is now set high for the 2023 edition. Tournament Director Sandra Reichel however is convinced she will be able to meet expectations. “We want the perfect tournament. We know from last year that the combined form is the best tennis product. We want to go one better this year – something we have already achieved with the line-up and we’ve also succeeded in terms of the programme of side events. It will be more diverse and varied than ever.”

Upsets are always possible in Hamburg” – Wildcards for local heroes and crowd favourites
Tournament Ambassador Andrea Petkovic provided details about the field of top national and international stars in the women’s singles, which is headed by Daria Kasatkina, the world No. 11, and by French Open runner-up Casper Ruud in the men’s. In addition, the defending champions Lorenzo Musetti and Bernarda Pera will again be in action plus the Hamburg-born Alexander Zverev, who would like to fulfil a “childhood dream” by winning the tournament. Rothenbaum however has also come up with some surprise winners. “Upsets are always possible in Hamburg,” says Tournament Ambassador Andrea Petkovic who handed on a few tips for spectators: “You just have to watch Andrey Rublev practicing. I’ve never seen a player that hits the ball as hard as he does. Also, keep an eye on young Frenchman Arthur Fils. He’s the youngest player in the top 100. China’s Zhizhen Zhang is also one for the future. He already has the charisma of a star.”

Hamburg’s Eva Lys is particularly looking forward to the event as is the 2021 Hamburg semifinalist, Jule Niemeier. Both have received a main draw wildcard. “I’ve made a big leap forward in the past twelve months, I know now that I have the skills to play even more successfully. The most important thing is that I believe in myself. The Hamburg European Open is the tournament I look forward to most of all, it’s the best week of the year for me. I hope that next year, I will be in a position to compete without requiring a wildcard,” said Lys when looking ahead. As for the women’s qualification, Germans Ella Seidel and Julia Middendorf have both been given wildcards. In the men’s draw, Germany’s Maximilian Marterer, who recently reached the third round of Wimbledon as a qualifier, and crowd favourite Rudi Molleker, who celebrated the biggest success of his career by defeating David Ferrer in Hamburg in 2018, are sure of a main draw berth. Fellow Germans Marco Topo, Max Rehberg and Henri Squirre will be in the qualifying mix. The remaining wildcards will be awarded on Friday.

Off-court tennis festival
The programme of side events at the 2023 Hamburg European Open includes a wide range of activities for “young and old” and features ones to promote promising young players and inclusion. For example, children and teenagers up to the age of 16 will have free admission on ARRIBA Family Day (Sunday, 23 July) and on EDEKA Kids’ Day (Monday, 24 July).

Alexander Zverev will play his first match on Ladies’ Day (Tuesday, July 25). The day before, the Alexander Zverev Foundation and “Asklepios” are holding a practice session for children suffering from type 1 diabetes. On Friday and Saturday (28 and 29 July), the big stage will be set for promising youngsters. The Girls Nations Cup will involve  U13 teams from Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Netherlands competing against each other. Together with the ECE Kids Cup, where talented U-8, U-9 and U-10 players will play each other, the events are important initiatives to bolster the next generation of tennis players in Germany. The 50th anniversary of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) will also be celebrated on Friday, 28 July,. Guests of honour will be the three-time Rothenbaum winner Arantxa Sánchez Vicario and Helga Masthoff, who won the tournament from 1972 to 1974. Tournament director Sandra Reichel is eagerly awaiting the inclusion days run by the Alexander Otto Sports Foundation on Saturday, 29 July and Sunday, 30 July. Under the motto “Tennis for all”, activities for wheelchair-bound people and for visually and hearing-impaired people will provide the perfect opportunity for visitors to take part. A real premiere awaits at the Wheelchair Tennis Nations Cup when Austria will play Germany. As a special conclusion to the tournament week, on Sunday, Friendship Day presented by La Roche Posay, the “HAMBURG SINGT!” event will take place on the Center Court as a special warm-up for the men’s final.

Tennis Channel to televise the Hamburg European Open
Reunions are wonderful – as in previous years, Tennis Channel will broadcast the Hamburg European Open live. On the world’s only streaming service focusing exclusively on tennis, every men’s and women’s matche will be televised. Selected matches can also be seen with Tennis Channel via Samsung Plus TV. “We’re delighted to be able to stream this prestigious event again this year. The field in both competitions is proof that the tournament is also a highlight for the players. We don’t want our subscribers to miss out and it also gives those that haven’t yet signed up the chance to experience world-class tennis live,” explains Tennis Channel’s Jan Menneken.

During the 2023 Hamburg European Open, Tennis Channel will stream all the main draw men’s and women’s matches. The Hamburg European Open from the first to the last rally on every match court – only available from Tennis Channel.

In addition to the live matches, Tennis Channel will also provide exclusive behind the scenes content. It’s well worth tuning in when the world’s tennis elite is in Hamburg. All matches can be seen live at www.tennischannel.com.