VIENNA/STARNBERG, October 10, 2024
The Pre-Opening of the “Official Tennis Experience” in Vienna’s Stadthalle on Tuesday evening attracted a large crowd and plenty of notable figures. From October 9 to November 3, visitors at Studio F can embark on an exciting journey through 50 years of tennis history in Vienna, featuring exclusive exhibits and a glimpse into the sport’s future with VR experiences.
One of the highlights of the “Champions of Vienna” event includes the trophies of Erste Bank Open ambassador Thomas Muster, displayed for the first time and auctioned for charity. The 1995 French Open champion attended the Pre-Opening and explained the inspiration behind the idea.
“It’s fitting, as we’re celebrating 50 years of tennis in Vienna. You reach a point in life when you think about what to do with your trophies. I carry the achievements and emotions with me, and these trophies represent the hard work, struggles, joy, and many other feelings. Holding them again brought back a lot of memories. Now, they will go to someone who may have watched back then, and at the same time, it’s for a good cause,” said Muster.
“It’s not easy to part with them because of all the emotions and memories they hold.” The trophies will be auctioned through the Aurena platform (www.aurena.at) during the “Official Tennis Experience” period. All proceeds will be donated to the Ö3 Christmas Miracle initiative, benefiting the LICHT INS DUNKEL emergency fund to help families in need.
The “Official Tennis Experience” not only displays these trophies but also revisits the last 50 years of tennis in Vienna. Muster commented, “There are so many other items, and everything is brilliantly presented. It must have been a lot of work to gather and set it all up. I played in the Stadthalle in the 80s and 90s, and then I had my last match against Dominic here. It’s incredible to see how things have evolved. This time travel experience is truly unique.”
Erste Bank Open Tournament Director Herwig Straka added, “For a while, we’ve wanted to reflect on the past, given the many moments we’ve accumulated over the years. With the 50th anniversary, we had the perfect occasion to launch various initiatives—the first being the Official Tennis Experience. We look back with special exhibits while also bridging the gap to the present and future with VR technology. As a sports fan, walking through the exhibition is truly heartwarming. We look forward to welcoming many visitors in the coming weeks.”
Muster guided guests through the “Official Tennis Experience” on Tuesday evening, sharing stories along the way. “A particularly significant trophy is from the 1989 Key Biscayne final because of the accident that happened right before. When the trophy was delivered afterward, two pieces were broken—it somehow matched my situation at the time. In 1997, the circle closed when I won in Key Biscayne, and that trophy is here as well.”
