50 years of the Women’s Tennis Association – if that’s not a reason to celebrate! Sandra Reichel, Tournament Director of the Hamburg European Open, and Peter-Michael Reichel were guests at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York over the weekend and celebrated the 50th anniversary of the WTA with former, current and future stars of women’s tennis.
It was a memorable evening, with everyone involved reminiscing. Broadway star Bre Jackson performed “The Room Where it Happens” from “Hamilton” before 14 of the founding members were greeted with a standing ovation on stage at London’s Gloucester Hotel in 1973. “I’m inspired by every single player who is on the tour, built in the spirit of this vision that brought us together in 1973,” said Billie Jean King, whose initiative was largely responsible for the fact that the US Open was first played in 1973 in a Grand Slam tournament, the same prize money was paid out for men and women.
“It was a really moving and inspiring evening that not only showed us what the WTA has already achieved in the last 50 years, but also that together we are strong enough to accept and master the challenges of the future. We look forward to actively shaping the coming decades of the WTA tour,” says Sandra Reichel, who will continue to be responsible for organizing the Hamburg WTA tournament and the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. Peter-Michael Reichel has now been a member of the WTA Board of Directors for 23 years.
After interviews with Chris Evert, Tracy Austin and Gabriela Sabatini, as well as speeches by Coco Gauff, WTA CEO Steve Simon, WTA President Micky Lawler and US Open Tournament Director Bob Moran, the closing remarks of the evening belonged to Charlotte, the 10-year-old daughter of Tatyana Maria. “Thank you Billie Jean King for everything you do for the players and therefore also for my mum who inspires me so much. My dream of also becoming a professional player has only just begun,” Charlotte said before hugging Billie Jean King. Here’s to the next 50 years!
2023-08-28 10:36:07
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