Hall (WB). The Russian (currently number eight in the world rankings) is one of the very hot candidates to follow in the footsteps of the superstars Federer, Nadal and Djokovic at the Grand Slam tournaments. Last year Rublev was recognized by the ATP as the player who has improved the most. He has won 41 of his 51 games, triumphed in five tournaments and qualified for the ATP final for the first time. In 2021, the Muscovite continued his streak of success with 16 wins with only three defeats and won the tournament in Rotterdam. “At the moment I’m playing very consistently at a high level. I also want to be at the forefront in Halle, ”says Rublev, who is starting the ATP lawn event in East Westphalia for the fourth time after 2016, 2017 and 2019. In this year’s ATP Race, the annual race for the eight World Cup starting places to be awarded, he is third behind Novak Djokovic and compatriot Daniil Medvedev.
Speaking of Medvedev: He has already taken the next step, which his two-year-old friend Rublev is determined to take. As second in the world rankings, Grand Slam finalist and ATP world champion, the 25-year-old is now one of the greats on the tour. “We are proud and happy that Daniil is celebrating his debut with us in Halle as the new superstar this year,” said tournament director Ralf Weber, recently about the commitment coup. Previously (as reported) Roger Federer (ATP 6) had already announced the long-standing figurehead of the tournament that he wanted to defend his title in Halle.
In Karen Khachanov (ATP 22) Weber has signed another player from the new golden Russian generation. The three friends Medvedev, Rublev and Khachanov all want to follow in the footsteps of their compatriot Yevgeny Kafelnikov. The former world number one and two-time Grand Slam winner has won the tournament in Halle three times (1997/1998/2002). The Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut (ATP 12) and David Goffin (ATP 13 / reached the final in the last edition in 2019) are the number four and five professionals from the current top 15 who have already confirmed their entry into the Noventi Open.
“We are happy to be able to welcome so many stars here in Halle,” says Ralf Weber. The tournament director suggests that the commitments are not yet complete: “We are in promising talks and hope to be able to announce more well-known top players soon.”
After the Noventi Open 2020, like many other tournaments, had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic, there should definitely be a comeback this year, also and above all as a signal to players, sponsors and fans. Ralf Weber recently emphasized in an interview with WESTFALEN-BLATT that you need to be prepared – regardless of whether and how many fans will ultimately be admitted: “There were already hygiene and protection concepts for 2020. These are revised, adapted and implemented after consultation with the authorities. ”
–
