Free Fire 4th Edition

The traditional press conference for the Lower Austria Open powered by EVN at TC Tulln (September 1-8, 2024) served as the starting signal for the ticket release for the fourth edition of the ATP 100 Challenger in the garden city of Tulln and provided first insights into the program and the young Austrian star in the starting field.

Tournament Director Florian Leitgeb gratefully emphasized the crucial importance for the event of the partnerships with SPORTLAND Lower Austria, Garden City of Tulln and other sponsors and also emphasized the excellent cooperation with the officials and volunteers of TC Tulln: “Only through all of these success factors has the Austrian Open supported by EVN 2024 is possible! Only through these collaborations can we offer what we stand for now: the best levels of close-up tennis and a family atmosphere at the facility for the fans and upper seats as well as excellent hospitality for the players!

The supporting software will also be a winner

But you don't just want to score points in sports this year. “There will be a support program including daily on-court talks, meet-and-greets with sports celebrities, evening events and a great activity for young people. And of course active tennis players can compete again in the SPORTLAND Niederösterreich One Shot Challenge,” Leitgeb revealed two and a half months before the start of the tournament. A combination that aims to attract all family members by practicing sports nearby in the center.

Exactly in the spirit of Lower Austria, State Member of Parliament Andreas Börs, representative of the State Sports Council and LH Deputy Udo Landbauer, explained: “We want to make Lower Austria the most active federal state and, in particular, get our target groups of young people excited about sports as soon as possible.” Tennis has been a strong driving force in recent years. Lower Austria has developed into a tennis hotbed and provides simply the perfect backdrop for this international tennis festival. I am convinced that the athletes will feel very comfortable again and that our residents will once again have a great opportunity to learn about and love the sport of tennis.

Melzer: “Very important for our players!”

Deputy Mayor of Tulln Wolfgang Mayrhofer emphasized that Tulln also provides a suitable location for the international tennis tournament, as well as the “winning stamp” of the partnership with the Lower Austria Open supported by EVN: “Tulln is one of the most beautiful cities in Austria! We want to promote the garden city of Tulln All over the country – and through ATP tournament quality events, we raise awareness on the one hand and can look forward to additional income, for example from extra overnight stays, on the other hand so it is a perfect fit for us, and I would like to thank all the participants for the excellent cooperation !

Collaboration was also the keynote of ÖTV Sports Director and Davis Cup Captain Jürgen Melzer. Four years ago, he and Lightgeb set out to give local tennis as many spacious stages as possible for high-quality “home games.” The NÖ Open supported by EVN is one of them: “Opportunities like this are very important for our players! I therefore extend my thanks to everyone who continues to make the tournament possible, and I hope there will be more to join the four local competitors. Here in Tulln, the players especially appreciate the family feeling. It's simply a tennis festival that everyone loves to attend!

Schwarzler returns to the site of his debut

According to Melzer, someone who will be able to make his debut at the Challenger level in Garden City in 2022 as a 16-year-old will come this year. Joel Schwarzler is now number one in the world junior rankings, won his first Challenger title in Skopje, and recently won the junior doubles competition at Roland Garros. For his coach Melzer, his protégé with his stunning style of play is certainly one of the local contenders for Tullen's first individual title in the red, white and red: “With the 'sporting director hat' on, I don't care about any Austrians.” Wins. If I wanted to, I would choose Joel.”

At the conclusion of this year's press conference for the Lower Austria Open with the support of EVN, club president Josef Beinhardt, whose club with its legendary team spirit has traditionally provided irreplaceable support, among many other things, was extremely satisfied, as well as at the national and international level. Cracks that play at TC Tulln year after year, others, for example in the acquisition and training of ball kids, ensure: “My thanks to SPORTLAND Niederösterreich and the city of Tulln for their great support, and especially to Jürgen Melzer, who brings us great players year after year! One can only be proud of the cooperation we have maintained with Florian Laitgeb and his team over the years!

NÖ Open tickets powered by EVN are available from September 1-8 at TC Tulln Available now in advance on Ö-Ticket Or via the tournament website www.noeopen-tulln.at available.