BAD WALTERSDORF, September 24, 2024 (via Press Release)
Organizer Sascha Freitag reflects on two weeks of top tennis in Bad Waltersdorf, featuring both the Davis Cup and the ATP Challenger Tour 125 event, the BAD WALTERSDORF TROPHY. The self-described “tennis fanatic” talks about pushing the limits of what’s possible and the birthday cakes that make a difference.
What motivated you to organize such an extraordinary tennis double event like the Davis Cup and the Bad Waltersdorf Trophy?
Sascha Freitag: “I have a passion for this sport. It was never about making money. Fortunately, we were able to organize a Davis Cup in combination with our Challenger event. My goal is to create an unforgettable experience for both the players and the audience.”
How did you handle the extreme weather conditions?
Freitag: “Only with a highly motivated and professional team that’s willing to go beyond the limits. Despite the extreme weather conditions here in southeastern Austria, we managed to successfully host the Davis Cup and start the Challenger qualification. We had 70 liters of rain per square meter in four hours, but thanks to our preparations, the courts were playable – something that wouldn’t have been possible elsewhere.”
How important were these tennis events from a sporting perspective, especially for Austrian players?
Freitag: “From a sporting perspective, it was a great success. The Austrians held their own in the Davis Cup World Group, which makes me very proud. And during the Challenger, we saw that top matches attract the best players, allowing Austrian players to compete with them. Last year, Dennis Novak made it to the final, and this time we had three Austrians in the round of 16. These experiences against top players are crucial for our players.”
You mentioned that players appreciate your hospitality. Can you give an example?
Freitag: “All the players speak highly of the service we offer. This includes our exclusive player hotels at the Spa Resort Styria and the Heiltherme Resort Bad Waltersdorf, our shuttle service, the players’ lounge, and the catering. For example, it was heartwarming when Indian doubles player Sriam Balaji thanked us after his final loss because his two-year-old son had received a birthday cake from us the day before. It’s the little things that make a difference.”
How important is it to you that the players feel comfortable here?
Freitag: “The players are on the road most of the year, far from home. We want to offer them a piece of Austrian hospitality here in Bad Waltersdorf so they feel at home. We can’t offer big appearance fees to attract famous names, so we rely on word-of-mouth, and so far, it’s worked perfectly!”
What are your future plans for the tournament?
Freitag: “The path to becoming an ATP 250 tournament is not easy, but we are open to development. Our main focus is to improve the tournament every year. None of this would be possible without our team. Many work on a volunteer basis, and I’m proud of the dedication each individual brings. We are constantly striving to grow.”
What is the significance of the tournament for the region?
Freitag: “This tournament is not just about tennis – it’s also a promotion for Bad Waltersdorf, Styria, and the Thermen- und Vulkanland region. It showcases what our area has to offer in terms of sports, hospitality, and cuisine.”
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Facts and Figures
The second ATP Challenger Tour 125 event in Bad Waltersdorf was a resounding success, offering not only world-class tennis in the heart of Vulkanland but also exceptional organization behind the scenes. A look at the key numbers highlights the top-tier quality of the entire event: 62 singles and doubles matches were played over 8 days. Due to bad weather, more than 10 tons of sand and 36 cubic meters of wood chips were used. Nearly 6,000 tennis balls were needed, around 600 m² of branding materials were installed, and 600 accreditations were issued. Dozens of volunteers worked on court maintenance, driving, and at the players’ desk, supported by 36 line judges and 50 ball kids (who had school off!).
Additionally, 3,500 meters of data cables and 1 kilometer of audio cables were laid to enable 30 hours of live ORF broadcasts and the streaming of all center court matches on OETV.TV. Organizer Sascha Freitag and the entire Bad Waltersdorf team are already aiming higher for next year: “Because we always want to get better, we already have two A4 pages full of improvement suggestions for 2025.”
