Since the focus of the ATP Tour has moved to North America the home-stretch regarding getting top players to play at the Erste Bank Open 500 in Vienna has also started for tournament director Herwig Straka. As of now, there will be a lot of new, interesting faces to be seen at the tournament which is held from 20-28 October at Vienna’s Stadthalle. Stars like Grigor Dimitrov, Nick Kyrgios and Kei Nishikori, as well as “young guns” like Hyeon Chung and Francis Tiafoe will make their debut in Vienna this year. On the other hand, local hero Dominic Thiem, who will play his first match on Tuesday, 23 October, will participate for the ninth time already. Also, Lucas Pouille (FRA) will try to defend his title, which he won last year after a win in the finals against fellow Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
“We are always trying to present the fans of the Erste Bank Open 500 not only their well-known favorites, but also fresh faces. Thus, it is fitting that same big names will make their Vienna debut this year”, says Straka.