HAMBURG, March 7, 2024

The Challenger Hamburg is eagerly anticipating an excellent player field. The ATP Challenger Tour 50 hard-court tournament will be held from March 10 to 17 at the base of the Hamburg Tennis Association.

Led by World No. 172 Jan Choinski, a total of ten players ranked among the top 200 in the ATP Rankings are expected in the Hanseatic city. Choinski, a native of Koblenz who has represented his mother’s homeland of Great Britain since 2019, is poised as one of the favorites to chase the title. Besides a prize purse of €5,080, the Challenger Hamburg champion will also earn valuable 50 points for the World Ranking.

Former champions return to Hamburg

World No. 198 Alexander Ritschard and 228th-ranked Ukrainian Illya Marchenko are among the former tournament winners on the entry list. Ritschard triumphed in a thrilling final in 2022, defeating his compatriot Henri Laaksonen in two hard-fought sets. A year later, Marchenko left no chance for the top-seeded Austrian Dennis Novak, securing his 10th career ATP Challenger Tour title.

“It was a very nice tournament. The organization was perfect. The support from the audience was fantastic. I am glad to have been here,” said a delighted Marchenko following his success in October 2023.

Additionally, a strong contingent of German players is expected, with World No. 187 Rudolf Molleker particularly motivated. Despite having yet to win a match in his previous three appearances at the Challenger Hamburg, the 23-year-old from Oranienburg is determined to turn the tide in the upcoming week. Molleker’s form outside of Hamburg-Horn has shown significant improvement in recent months. He clinched his second Challenger title at an event in Prague, Czech Republic, last August. This success led Molleker to compete in the Australian Open this year, marking his return to a Grand Slam tournament after three years.

Wiskandt wins Wild Card Tournament

On the last weekend of February, Max Wiskandt secured a wild card for the Challenger Hamburg’s qualifying by winning a National Ranking Tournament. The 22-year-old from KTC Bad Wilhelmshöhe defeated Karlo Cubelic in the final 7-6, 7-5, marking his fifth participation in the qualification rounds of an ATP Challenger tournament.

 

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“I am very happy to have won the tournament. I was very satisfied with my level of play. Finishing without losing a set makes the whole thing even more beautiful,” commented Wiskandt on his success. “Many thanks to the organizers for this event. It is not often that players have the opportunity to play for a wild card in a Challenger. It is a very nice opportunity for all players, and it would be wonderful if such chances arose more often.”

Four years ago, Wiskandt attempted to qualify for the main draw in Hamburg but lost to Pavel Kotov, who is currently ranked among the top 70 in the world, in his opening match. However, the current World No. 784 also has many positive memories associated with the Hanseatic city.

“I am looking forward to coming back to Hamburg. In 2018, I earned my first ATP world ranking point here, and the hall of the Hamburg Tennis Association has always been a good place for me. I will do my best again at this year’s tournament,” Wiskandt affirmed.

Anticipation for the tournament start

Christoph Holstein, State Councillor of the Ministry of the Interior and Sport of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, is already looking forward to the reprise of Challenger Hamburg:

“With the ATP Challenger tournament, the best young players in Hamburg have the chance to make a run towards the world top. Despite all the changes in the ATP tournament calendar, the tournament remains in Hamburg – an important signal for tennis in the Active City!”

The qualification for Challenger Hamburg begins on Sunday, March 10th. The event will take place at the venue of the Hamburger Tennis-Verband. Entry for spectators is free throughout the tournament week. Challenger Hamburg is particularly supported by the City of Hamburg (Active City), the Tennis Association of Schleswig-Holstein, the North-East Regional League, the men’s professional tennis organization ATP, and the German Tennis Federation (DTB).

Entry List Challenger Hamburg