HAMBURG, November 27, 2015

After five years, the partnership between the ATP 500 tournament in Hamburg and its title sponsor bet-at-home has come to an end. The organizers of the German Open have to find a new title sponsor for the tournament’s 110th edition, taking place from 9 to 17 July 2016.

“Against the background of the reorientation of our sports sponsorship, we decided not to extend our contract and engagement at the Rothenbaum in Hamburg. Our main focus will be the sponsorship of Berlin’s football club Hertha BSC,” told Claus Retschitzegger, head of communication at bet-at-home.

Detlev Hammer, CEO of HSE, the tournament’s organizing company didn’t seem to be too worried. “At the moment we do not know the name of the tournament with its start on 9th July, but with more than 30 partners we have a good basis for the future. I am optimistic that we can add more in the next couple of months,” he told.

Bet-at-home was not satisfied with the last edition of the tournament this year. “The entry list was pretty weak. We really have to think about that in the medium-term. Maybe, we should also bear in my mind a possible switch of surfaces to hard court,” Retschitzegger critized last July. Rafael Nadal captured the 2015 title but he was the only top 20-player in the draw.

In 2016, German top talent Alexander Zverev will return to Hamburg. “After his breakthrough in 2014, Alexander has made a huge progress. He has gained experience and achieved some good results on the tour,” told tournament director Michael Stich.