SCHWIEBERDINGEN, January 19, 2016
The 9th edition of the Südwestbank Tennis Grand Prix ended last Sunday with Daniel Masur claiming the title in a pulsating final against Andreas Beck. The $10,000 ITF Future event, held at the Tennishalle in Schwieberdingen, is one of the rare tournaments played on carpet. It is also the traditional start of the Pro Circuit indoor swing in Germany in January with the Future events in Kaarst and Nussloch to follow.
Tournament director David King, who also runs his academy at the venue, was pleased with this year’s edition. “We had a fantastic week with top-players here in Germany such as former world number 160 Albano Olivetti, former world number 33 Andreas Beck and German champion Oscar Otte. The draw was full with great players and the level of play throughout the tournament was fantastic. Petr Michnev had to play 12 sets in four matches. Ending the week with a close final like this is just a dream,” King stated on Sunday and added that it was also a great event for the spectators: “So many people attended the matches and enjoyed the tennis.”
In 2017 the organizers of the $10,000 ITF Future events have to face the challenge of increasing the total prize money to $15,000. “We would like to change some general things at next year’s tournament. We want to create an own room for the players and want to introduce ballkids as well as linesmen during the entire main draw. To cover the extra costs, we obviously have to find new sponsors. But a final like this is perfect in order to advertise the tournament,” said King, who also sets his focus in developing young players in the region. The former coach of world number 71 Cedric-Marcel Stebe is confident that a 10th edition is going to take place in Schwieberdingen next year.
Tournament director David King
Schwieberdingen’s Hall of Fame:
Winner 2008: Simon Greul
Winner 2009: Andis Juska
Winner 2010: Jesse Huta-Galung
Winner 2011: Andis Juska
Winner 2012: Josh Goodall
Winner 2013: Andis Juska
Andis Juska
Winner 2014: Fabrice Martin
Fabrice Martin
Winner 2015: Mick Lescure
Mick Lescure
Winner 2016: Daniel Masur
Daniel Masur
