VIENNA, September 26, 2024
50 years of tennis in Vienna! From October 19 to 27, the Erste Bank Open at the Wiener Stadthalle will celebrate a special anniversary under the title “Champions of Vienna.” Alongside the ATP 500 tournament, several activities are planned, including the “Official Tennis Experience,” which will take place from October 9 to November 3 at Studio F of the Wiener Stadthalle.
This event will honor tennis heroes from the past 50 years through personal memorabilia such as rackets and clothing, as well as exclusive merchandise, bridging the gap between the past, present, and future. Additionally, 10 of Thomas Muster’s trophies, including his 1995 French Open trophy, will be displayed for the first and last time before being auctioned for charity.
On June 11, 1995, Thomas Muster made Austrian sports history as the first Austrian to win a Grand Slam tournament by claiming the French Open in Paris. Over his career, the Styrian won 44 ATP singles titles and became the first and only Austrian to reach No. 1 in the tennis world rankings. Now, 13 years after his final retirement at the 2011 Erste Bank Open, Muster has decided to auction off 10 of his trophies for charity, including his 1995 French Open trophy, his World No. 1 trophy, and the eight ATP Masters Series titles he won.
The trophies will be auctioned via the online platform “Aurena” (www.aurena.at), which has waived its usual fees, ensuring that the entire proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Ö3 Christmas Miracle. The money will go to the LICHT INS DUNKEL emergency aid fund, benefiting families in need.
Before being transferred to their new owners, the trophies will be on display at the “Official Tennis Experience” in the Wiener Stadthalle, allowing fans to see them up close for the first and last time. The exhibition will run from October 9 to November 3, spanning the Erste Bank Open dates (October 19–27). Besides Muster’s trophies, rare items from 50 years of tennis in Vienna will be displayed, celebrating Dominic Thiem and other Austrian tennis stars, with interactive experiences, exclusive merchandise collections, and VR challenges that connect the past, present, and future.
“The Erste Bank Open aims to reach a wider audience this year, bringing the tournament closer to more people. Under the ‘Champions of Vienna’ theme, we’re combining multiple aspects to make it a unique, all-around fan experience,” said Tournament Director Herwig Straka. “A special focus of the Official Tennis Experience is on the illustrious careers of Thomas Muster and Dominic Thiem. The fact that Thomas is offering his trophies for fans to see and even auctioning them is extraordinary. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to view these trophies. We look forward to unforgettable highlights and reflections on 50 years of world-class tennis in Vienna.”
