Austria’s number one is back in Kitz! After one year’s abstinence, Dominic Thiem will be back on a game-hunt in 2018 at the Generali Open Kitzbühel, Austria’s largest clay court tournament.
From 28. July to 4. August the world’s No. 5 finally wants to win the first ATP title on home soil. Kitzbühel will once again be the scene of world-class tennis.
It is the reunion of the year in the Austrian tennis scene: The number five in the world, Dominic Thiem, will be playing at the Generali Open Kitzbühel from 28. July to 4. August 2018 return to local sand and hunt for the Gamstrophy again. At a Christmas press conference at the punch stand of the Haas&Haas Tea House in the heart of Vienna, the 24-year-old, who had just returned from the training camp in Tenerife, revealed his tournament plans for 2018. After one year without Austria’s biggest clay court tournament, the Kitzbühel Traditional Tournament is back on the agenda for Austria’s number one in summer 2018.
Thus Thiem adds a new, eighth chapter to his story with the Gamsstadt. After the first ATP match of his career in 2011 and the first ATP final draw in 2014, Dominic Thiem wants to win titles and chamois in Kitzbühel in 2018 and thus settle an outstanding score:”I am looking forward to Kitzbühel and have almost only good memories. Last year I made the decision with a heavy heart that I would like to try something else again and immediately switch to Hartcourt, which didn’t work out after all. Kitzbühel is one of my favourite tournaments. I am especially looking forward to the atmosphere and ambience and to a full Center Court. In recent years this has almost always been the case.”
“We can almost guarantee Dominic a full center court and a great atmosphere. We will do everything in our power to ensure that the house is full again and the atmosphere will be magnificent when Dominic returns to Kitzbühel,”said tournament director Alexander Antonitsch. For the Generali Open Kitzbühel organisers Herbert Günther and Markus Bodner as well as tournament director Alexander Antonitsch, it is a premature Christmas present that the likeable Lichtenwörther will be returning to the 250cc category of the ATP tournament with the current number five in the world and thus a part of the who-is-who of the tennis world:”Wherever Dominic is now standing, it is not a matter of course that he will receive an early Christmas present. We are super proud that we were able to win him back for us. For us, it’s like Christmas, Easter and birthday together,”says Antonitsch.
In just under 200 days Kitzbühel will once again be showing the best that clay court tennis on Austrian soil has to offer. From 28. July to 4. August 2018 the 74. Chapter in the history of the traditional Kitzbühel tournament.
Fans and the public are guaranteed a week of exciting matches, thrilling rallies and emotional moments at the 501,345 Euro prize-winning tournament in the ATP World Tour 250 category. But there is also a full programme outside the courts. In addition to the well-established motto days, the grounds of the Kitzbühel tennis club invite you to stroll, dine and shop and the feel-good factor for fans is as usual in the foreground. Last year around 47,000 spectators made the pilgrimage to Kitzbühel for the Generali Open.
Of course, Dominic Thiem also spoke about the Generali Open:
What does it mean to you to be back in Kitzbühel?
“I love Kitzbühel and I also like to play there – for eight years now. The first time was at the age of 16 and my first professional tournament. I have almost only good memories, so it was painful that I couldn’t be there last year.”
What makes Kitzbühel so special?
“The atmosphere is great. The home crowd is standing behind one and in general Kitzbühel is one of the most beautiful places in Austria, even away from the tournament. It’s just a pleasure to be there.”
A bill is still outstanding in Kitzbühel. What did you have in mind?
“I said three years ago that my big goal is to win the tournament and I’m going to attack.”
Why should fans come to Kitzbühel?
“I hope because of me too. I’ll definitely try to show them some good tennis. But they should also come, because the tournament is generally great. There is also a lot to see and experience off the beaten track.”