This year, the Rado ProAm tournament took place once again at the Vienna Colony Club as part of the First Bank Open. Prominent representatives from sports, society and business were able to compete against former tennis stars such as Barbara Schett, Stefan Koubek and Clemens Trimmel. Anyone who thought that the celebrities on the pitch would only run after the ball was far off the mark.from Vienna reports Matthäus Helbich
Despite the rainy and cold atmosphere on Sunday morning, Rado welcomed all the celebrities such as football legend Toni Polster, former ski racer Rainer Schönfelder and cabaret artist Viktor Gernot. The atmosphere was relaxed and exuberant.
Most of the guests knew each other, joked about their tennis skills over a coffee and gave plenty of interviews to media representatives. After words of welcome from Barbara Schett and Erste Bank Open players Dennis Novak and Mike Bryan, the tournament was officially opened.
In a conversation Dennis Novak said that he was already looking forward to the great atmosphere in the Stadthalle and could hardly wait to finally stand in the square. Nevertheless, the youngster, who is coached by Wolfgang Thiem and Günter Bresnik, knows that his upcoming duel with Karen Khachanov will not be easy, but that he will do his best not to disappoint the numerous fans.
In addition, Dominic Thiem’s good friend was amazed at Rainer Schönfelder’s and Toni Polster’s good tennis skills when he played with them. When asked who the world’s number 145 has on its bill for winning the tournament, he replied with a grin: “Well, Toni is always a hot potato”.
In addition to the many ex-sports professionals, there were also youth players in action. I was able to follow the two games of Tamara Kostic, U12 national champion. She played in a team with Barbara Schett. The opponent was no less than Stefan Koubek and Thomas Schweda, ÖTV managing director.
Surprisingly, Kostic played the opponents against the wall to the delight of her parents. It must be pretty great for such a young player to play alongside one of the best tennis players in Austrian history against the Davis Cup captain and the ÖTV managing director.
But the real highlight is watching Toni Polster and Stefan Koubek playing. Upholstery alone is a cabaret artist. The way in which the current Viennese Viktoria coach runs after the ball, is happy about every point he wins or fanatically cheers on his team mates is more than worthy of a sports legend.
Stefan Koubek also knew how to inspire. The fit 41-year-old – once twentieth in the men’s world rankings – amazed the audience with many tweeners and praise.
In summary, Rado created a perfectly organized and entertaining event. You’d think everything worked like Swiss clockwork.
I would have liked to have stood on the court to prove my skills. In any case, watching the show made you want to come next week. It remains to be hoped that the Austrian players will have as much to laugh about as the players in the Colony Club.