HAMBURG, March 25, 2022 (Press Release)
Australian Open finalist and World No. 11 Danielle Collins from the United States will compete in the 2022 Hamburg European Open. This was announced by the organizers of the WTA 250 event on Friday.
“I can’t wait to be back in beautiful Hamburg! I did some sightseeing last time and I hope to get to do more this year,” said last year’s Rothenbaum quarterfinalist. Looking ahead to Germany’s oldest and largest tennis tournament, where men and women will play the same tournament week from July 16 to 24 for the first time since 1978, Collins added: “The Hamburg European Open has such a great tradition so it’s a special place to play and it’s exciting that it’s a combined event this year!” The Florida native made her firm commitment to tournament director Sandra Reichel this week at a meeting on the sidelines of the Miami Open WTA 1000 tournament.
Known for her fighting spirit both on and off the court, the 28-year-old had a tough year in 2021. She suffered from endometriosis, which she talks very openly about. Last April, she had to undergo a severe abdominal surgery. Therefore, it was all the more thrilling when she made her sensational run at the first Grand Slam tournament of the seaon in Melbourne. She finally bowed out in the final to the recently retired Australian World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty, 3-6, 6-7 (2-7). Thanks to her biggest career triumph to date, she broke into the Top 10 for the first time at the end of January. “I was touched by Danielle’s story. She’s an incredibly strong person and a great role model,” said Reichel. “I couldn’t be happier that we’re able to bring her back to Hamburg this year.”
Collins, who also answers to the feisty nickname “Danimal,” lost at the 2021 Hamburg European Open in a close battle in the quarterfinals 4-6, 6-1, 5-7 against Elena-Gabriela Ruse from Romania who went on to win the title. Collins also took part in a photo shoot in the harbor district in front of the impressive Elbphilharmonie concert hall, one of Hamburg’s most famous landmarks. The former college player, who’s an all-round talent on all surfaces, won her previous two WTA titles after her successful surgery in the summer of 2021 in Palermo, Italy in July on clay and in San Jose, California in August on hard court.
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BIDI BADU continues partnership with Hamburg European Open
The tennis fashion brand BIDI BADU will once again be outfitting the ball kids at the Hamburg European Open in 2022. The company, which was founded in 2016 to bring a fresh look to the world of tennis, will also have a store on the tournament grounds. BIDI BADU will be a partner of the clubs tour (Vereinstour) that the Hamburg European Open is planning this year. Christian Korte, head of brands and communications at BIDI BADU, remarked on the collaboration with the Rothenbaum tournament: “In Hamburg, there’s always a stiff breeze. For several years now, the tournament has had a fresh new look – with this year’s highlight being the combined event. We want to do our part to make sure the tournament in Hamburg not only offers great tennis but is a real spectacle. The ball kids are just the beginning.”
BIDI BADU is inspired by the spirit of togetherness of a younger generation of athletes who share a love of the game and a joie de vivre. With the slogan ‘Life is BIDI BADU’, the brand encourages all players to show their enjoyment of life and to be wonderfully weird. BIDI BADU’s bright colors and eye-catching design will help players stand out in every aspect of their game, both on and off the court.
