Paolo Lorenzi will compete in the first edition of the Isar Open in Pullach from August 4 to 12, 2018. The Italian veteran is the first player from the Top 100 to agree to serve on the clay courts of the TC Großhesselohe. However, Lorenzi will face a strong line-up of German players.
High above the rooftops of Munich, in a relaxed atmosphere in the middle of a rooftop bar of a parking garage, the organizers of the Isar Open invited to the second press conference of the ATP-Challenger-Event, endowed with a total prize money of 127,000 Euro.
With the approval of Paolo Lorenzi, the tournament organizers also presented the first Top 100 player. The 36-year-old Italian is a legend on the ATP Challenger Tour. Lorenzi won a total of 19 titles on this level and for a long time was regarded as the epitome of those professionals who oscillated between the challenger level and the really big stage of tennis, apparently without making the really big leap.
In 2016 the likeable Roman finally made his breakthrough with the title win at Kitzbühel, his first and so far only triumph on the ATP World Tour. Places among the top 50 in the world were the well-deserved prize. This week the current number 86 in the ATP ranking reached the second round in Wimbledon after a win over Laslo Djere, where he finally lost to Gael Monfils in four sets after a good fight.
Things didn’t always go that well this year. Lorenzi missed six weeks of this year’s season due to a foot injury. His favourite surface, sand, is probably predestined to regain a firm foothold before going to the American hard courts.
“We came into contact with Paolo through his manager,” said Alessandra Trenkle, one of the three heads of the tournament organization. “She’ll be at the tournament at the Players’ Desk.” Connections that can probably only be experienced away from the Grand Slams.
Nevertheless, the Isar Open is one of the biggest tournaments in its category. Together with the Sparkassen Open in Braunschweig, most of the prize money will be distributed here – and the German players are looking forward to another event in their own country.
Florian Mayer, Matthias Bachinger and Tim Pütz were already part of the well-known circle of local heroes who will hit the western high bank of the Isar south of Munich. Kevin Krawietz and Yannick Hanfmann are now joining them. The final entry list of players will be published three weeks before the tournament starts.
Krawietz has already won four double titles on the ATP-Challenger-Tour this season. He will compete in both individual and team competitions. Hanfmann knows how it feels to win a title in Bavaria. The 26-year-old scored his first Challenger success in Ismaning in November last year and since then has been scratching his way into the Top 100, perhaps the Isar Open is the key to entry.
“We are also in talks with other German players from the top 100,” says tournament director Dominik Schulz. The former professional made it to number 10 in the junior world ranking and knows about the needs of the cracks. “It is particularly important to us to ensure excellent space conditions even at this time of year,” he says as a maxim.
What are the goals of the young team of organizers? “Survive the first day”, jokes organiser Alessandra Trenkle, but she is also aware of the challenging task. “After that, we hope it gets a little more relaxed.”
The tournament organizers expect at least 10,000 visitors in the course of the week. “Of course, the whole thing also depends on the weather,” says co-organiser Maximilian Schnabel, who had his first experience in the event sector at the Neckarcup in Heilbronn. “We are in contact with more than 50 tennis clubs in and around Munich, but would also like to address a broad audience. Everyone is welcome.”
Side events should round off the tennis experience. From a “Bavarian Sunday” to a “Caribbean Night” there will be a whole range of events off the beaten track on the courts.
The doubles final will be held on Saturday, 12 August. The singles final will follow on Sunday. Meanwhile, the date for the Players’ Party was also announced: This takes place on August 6th in the traditional forest management Großhesselohe.