KITZBÜHEL, July 7, 2016

Local hero Dominic Thiem will be joined by two other Austrian players to compete at this year’s Generali Open, held from 17 to 23 July 2016 in Kitzbühel, as Gerald Melzer and Dennis Novak have received a wild card into the ATP 250 tournament’s main draw.

Gerald Melzer will return to Kitzbühel

“Dennis made a good impression here last year by reaching the second round and has played decent tennis for the last couple of weeks. Like Gerald Melzer, he is currently in good shape. He deserved this wild card,” tournament director Alexander Antonitsch said on the 22-year-old, who is currently ranked on a career high 196th position. Novak captured three Future titles on the ITF Pro Circuit this season. “If he plays well in Hamburg, we maybe will welcome him in Kitzbühel as a top 100-player,” Antonitsch added.

It is also possible that both Melzer brothers will appear in Kitzbühel’s main draw. “If Gerald makes the cut and receives direct entry into the tournament, we will give his wild card to his brother Jürgen, who played a great Davis Cup with Austria in Kiev. We would be happy to see him playing in the main draw here,” Antonitsch explained.

The tournament’s licence holder Octagon awarded its wild card to 19-year-old Japanese Akira Santillan. The teenager has already captured four ITF Future titles this season, is currently ranked on 370th position and known as one of the biggest tennis hopes of his country.