KITZBÜHEL, July 22, 2016

The international tennis event in Kitzbühel is one of the most traditional stops on the ATP World Tour. The first tournament took place in 1907. When the ATP was founded in 1972, the governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuits and the tennis club in Kitzbühel started a close partnership.

When the leading professionals joined forces to create the Association of Tennis Professionals, Kitzbühel was part of it and has been a tour member since then with the only exception of the years 2009 and 2010, when tournament was held as a Challenger event.

David Messey, vice president of the ATP Europe, honoured the long-standing partnership with the ATP Heritage Award. “We are proud to receive this award. It emphasizes our good relationship with the ATP and it also shows that the tournament has returned to the top level,” tournament organzier Herbert Günther told.

“It’s not a secret that the players feel comfortable here. We are very proud to have such a traditional stop on tour,” Messey added.

KITZBUEHEL,AUSTRIA,20.JUL.16 – TENNIS – Dominic Thiem and sports minister Hans Peter Doskozil photo: GEPA pictures/ Andreas Pranter)

Thiem honoured

On Wednesday, world number nine Dominic Thiem also received an award of merit from Austria’s minister for sports Hans Peter Doskozil. “His success on the tour will have a positive effect on all of the players in the clubs. He is also a role model for young people,” Doskozil told.