Hennemann’s victory numbers were finally written 2-0 in sets after she won 6-0, 6-1 on the center record in Hallå’s Båstad. That it was Vanessa Ersöz, a friend she played against countless times, who was on the other side of the net was special, says Hennemann.
The fact that the match was played with about 1,300 spectators, including family and friends, in the stands was another factor that made the match something out of the ordinary.
– I’m not used to playing in front of a large audience so there was extra nervousness. But you also feel extra support so it was fun, says Caijsa Hennemann afterwards.
636-ranked Hennemann competed in the WTA tournament in Båstad already in 2019 and got a new chance this time via a wildcard. In recent years, Caijsa Hennemann has taken five titles on the ITF Tour, but no victory in a tennis match at the highest level, WTA, would have been for the 20-year-old until Monday’s match.
– This is my first win in Båstad and the biggest victory of my life. I have never won a match at such a high level before so I am super happy. This is the level I want to play week in and week out, she says.
One who knows how much the first victory on the WTA tour means is the former tennis player Sofia Arvidsson. For several years she was Sweden number one on the women’s side and she was ranked best in 29th place in the whole world.
– It is exactly this experience you want to give players like Caijsa, who play in smaller tournaments so that they can feel the level on the big stage. It’s great fun, says Arvidsson who today works as tournament manager for the women’s week in Båstad.
– Sofia Arvidsson, tournament manager for the women’s week in Båstad.
Photo: Mathilda Ahlberg / Bildbyrån
Since 1948 Tennis has been played in Båstad, but due to the corona pandemic, both men’s and women’s competitions were canceled last year. In the spring of 2020, competition director Christer Hult spoke of a “sad but expected message” when the ATP tour announced that all of last year’s summer competitions were canceled.
On the other hand, there are more cheerful tones now, according to Sofia Arvidsson. She talks about a great interest with sold-out tickets, albeit in reduced capacity, and a strong starting line-up where, among other things, Sweden’s best tennis player on the women’s side, Rebecca Peterson, is involved.
– It really feels really fun. Since nothing happened last year and with everything that has been, it’s great to be up and running, even if it’s not completely normal yet, it’s one step closer, says Arvidsson.
– It’s great to see the audience in the stands and hear the applause. That is what many have said today, she continues.
Six Swedish players is in this year’s WTA tournament including Hennemann, Peterson and Mirjam Björklund. Among the international players on site are the Russian Anna Kalinskaja (ranked 109 in the world), Egypt’s Mayar Sherif (ranked 119) and the American Alejandro Claire Liu (120).
– This year’s starting field is a good mix of players and it feels great fun with so many Swedes. It is above all those the audience wants to see, says Sofia Arvidsson.
Next week, it’s time for the men’s tournament in Båstad on the ATP tour with, among others, Casper Ruud, Denis Sjapovalov, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and the Swedish qualifier Leo Borg.
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