After the tremendous success of the 2024 tennis event at Vienna’s Rathausplatz, e|motion and the Austrian Tennis Federation (ÖTV) continued the tradition this year, transforming the square into a tennis hotspot. From Thursday to Sunday, visitors could play touch tennis on six mini courts – and thousands seized the unique opportunity to swing a racket in front of Vienna’s iconic City Hall.

Champions of Vienna

Two tournaments were held in parallel, each crowning its own champions. At “Champions of Vienna,” the winners of the regional tournaments from across Austria gathered in Vienna and got the full Erste Bank Open experience – including accommodation at the Vienna Marriott Hotel, dinner in the Players’ Lounge of the Marx Halle, and shuttle service.

On Sunday, the titles were decided in a Champions Tie-break format. In the final, Leon Roider defeated Nelson Gregor 10–5 to claim the title. The new champion can look forward to another night at the Vienna Marriott Hotel as well as VIP tickets for the Erste Bank Open.

The 25-year-old Viennese Roider played college tennis from 2019 to 2024 at Washington State University before joining the Gonzaga Bulldogs on scholarship. Among his opponents was Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, who competed in the Erste Bank Open qualifying draw this year. Roider now plays for the Sports Monkeys in Austria’s Landesliga A.

Yet another winner

At “Magic Moments in the City presented by Erste Bank,” more than 100 participants competed for the title. In the final, Boris Novak defeated Robin Schön 10–6 to secure VIP tickets for the Erste Bank Open final Sunday.

After four days full of rallies, smiles, and celebrations, one thing was clear: At Vienna’s Rathausplatz, everyone felt like a champion.