Tennis: New draft horse at the Sauerland Open in Lüdenscheid

The Platzmann-Sauerland-Open, the first ATP tournament on Lüdenscheider soil, has a new workhorse. The Spaniard Pablo Andujar, currently number 71 in the world rankings, has registered for the event, which will take place from August 15 to 22 at the facility at Lüdenscheider Stadtpark.

Lüdenscheid – “That’s amazing, I’m really happy”, beamed tournament director Rogier Wassen on Wednesday at the last press conference before the tournament began. With good reason: The 35-year-old Iberian, who last played at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, actually only plays the top tournaments, recently defeating the reigning number nine in the world rankings, Roger Federer, in Geneva. “And he’s still a very good tennis player,” smiles Rogier Wassen, who knows Pablo Andujar from his professional days at Rochusclub Düsseldorf in the Bundesliga. The strong Spanish faction is completed by Pedro Martinez and Roberto Carballes Baena. The duo currently ranks 96th and 97th in the ATP world rankings.

Also in the focus of the tournament director: Daniel Altmaier (ATP 135). The 22-year-old is currently playing “the best tennis of his career” (Wassen quote), “He’s on the way up.” In short: Rogier Wassen’s initial fears that the tournament in the mountain town would be a bit too close to the US -Open could not have come true. On the contrary. In terms of quality, the field has really grown again. So much so that, for example, a Mischa Zverev even has to qualify (start on August 15). However, the tableau is not yet completely complete. The last wildcards will be awarded in the coming days – partly to players from the region, partly via the German Tennis Association (DTB) as a cooperation partner.

Comprehensive hygiene concept

And apart from the completion of the starting field, the organizational team around Rogier Wassen and the host Lüdenscheider TV von 1899 are giving full throttle. The most important topic, as Wassen and Dirk Weiland from Eventfabrik Südwestfalen made clear at the press conference, is the hygiene concept. “We want everyone to feel safe,” emphasizes Wassen. In close consultation with the city of Lüdenscheid, the maximum audience capacity on the facility at the city park has been set at 500 people. The focus is on the 3G rules. If you want to enter the facility, you have to be vaccinated, recovered or tested. Up-to-date tests can be carried out directly on site in a test center. In addition, all viewers have to register either via the Luca app or in a contact list.

Keyword demand for tickets: Naturally, the day of the final (Sunday, August 22nd) is already in high demand in advance sales. Then not only the finals are on the program, but also a celebrity double with Oliver Pocher and Mark Keller. There are still enough tickets available for all other days. Although there will be a box office on the day, it is easier to buy it online via the tournament homepage (www.sauerland-open.de).

Helper team is standing

Rogier Wassen had special praise for the helper team. “Excellent work is being done in the background,” said the German-Dutchman. Ball kids, line judges, supervisors, helpers – the staff is and is not only provided by LTV 1899. In advance, all tennis clubs in the region were written to in order to involve the entire local tennis family.

The organizers have only limited influence on at least one external factor: the weather. After the storms of the past few days, there is at least a slightly uneasy feeling, but all conceivable protective measures have been taken. The spaces are equipped with tarpaulins that can be quickly pulled over the ashes and removed again in the event of rain showers. “We just can’t use continuous rain. But it’s mid-August, I’m optimistic, ”says Rogier Wassen.

The opening day is particularly important to Wassen. In addition to the qualification games, the Siku Kids Day is on the program from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. A maximum of 50 children can take part in a free trial course. Registration for this is possible online via the tournament homepage.

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