On Sunday, tournament director Herwig Straka, Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller (CEO of the Erste Bank), Peter Hacker (Vienna’s city councilor for sports and health), and Carola Lindenbauer (managing director of the Wiener Stadthalle) took satisfied stock of the Erste Bank Open 2021. Because of the 2G regulations there were no visitor limitations compared to last year’s edition. Nearly 60,000 fans visited the Stadthalle and the new, second location “Tennis 2 Go” on the premises of the Wiener Eislauf-Verein at the Heumarkt. “That’s only 10 percent less than 2019, when we had our record year”, said Straka pleased. “That’s really great, considernig that 30 percent of our potential audience couldn’t come due to the 2G regulations.” Still, this regulation made for safe planning as Straka confirmed: “We welcomed these rules right from the beginning. As we could see this week, we were totally right to do so.”
2G regulation worked fine
Sports and health councilor Peter Hacker acknowledged the same: “This regulation works for the people. We want to stage such sports events and other events. And therefore, 2G is the basis. People now understand that this can only work according to these rules.” At the same time, Hacker also thanked the organizers from the e|motion group: “It is not self-evident that these rules are not only understood in these difficult times, but are also implemented consequently. I know how much work this means and thus the organizers have all my gratitude.”
“People were happy”
Erste Bank CEO Gerda Holzinger-Burgstaller mentioned in her statement the unbelievable atmosphere in the Stadthalle. “It was sensational. We have seen unbelievable matches and felt the joy of the people to finally experience something like that live again.” Stadthallen “landlord” Lindenbauer also mentioned the long and storied history of the tournament: “I am extremely happy about the Erste Bank Open. It was the 11th edition under this banner and the 47th tournament overall here. We have extended the contract with Herwig Straka for five more years which makes us extremely happy.”