METZ/STARNBERG, February 3, 2025
The Moselle Open in Metz, France will no longer take place. The was announced by the ATP when the 2026 calendar was released on Monday.
The organizers of the Moselle Open sent out the following statement (translated from French):
The ATP Tour has announced its 2026 calendar, featuring 60 tournaments across 31 countries. However, the Moselle Open will not be part of this new schedule, marking a disappointing end to the tournament’s 22-year history.
The decision comes as Stockholm, a priority event due to its ATP membership status, will take over week 45, the former slot of the Moselle Open.
Legal Disputes Behind the Loss of the Tournament
The SAS Open de Moselle and its Board of Directors have expressed deep sadness and a sense of injustice over this outcome. They attribute the loss entirely to legal proceedings initiated by four minority shareholders, who collectively own 14% of the company’s shares.
A long-running dispute over the ownership of certain shares led the ATP Tour to intervene, stating:
“The ATP Tour has determined that an ongoing and prolonged legal dispute regarding the ownership of the Moselle Open and its members has prevented strategic planning and decision-making, which was not in the best interests of the tournament or the ATP Tour. Following a thorough review of the situation, the ATP Tour Board of Directors has decided to terminate the tournament’s ATP Tour membership.”
Failed Attempts at Mediation
Since the beginning of the dispute in 2022, the Moselle Open management had called for a mediator to find an alternative resolution, warning that continued litigation could weaken the tournament and put its ATP status at risk.
Despite these efforts, the four minority shareholders refused any form of compromise, persisting with their legal actions. However, their claims were ultimately dismissed by the Metz Court, a decision that was upheld by the Metz Court of Appeal on December 19, 2024.
A Major Loss for French Tennis
The exclusion of the Moselle Open marks the end of a prestigious tournament that had been a staple of the ATP Tour for over two decades. The decision underscores the impact of internal disputes on major sporting events and serves as a reminder of the importance of governance stability in professional tennis.
The relentless legal actions pursued by these four minority shareholders have ultimately led to the dismissal of their claims by two successive courts, their condemnation to significant financial penalties in favor of the wrongly accused parties, and, most tragically, the loss of the Moselle Open tournament.
The importance and prestige of the event were undeniable, both for tennis fans and for the local economy.
Now, chaos reigns, and they alone are to blame!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all stakeholders, employees, partners, clients, and fans who have been part of the Moselle Open since 2003.
The SAS Open de Moselle and its Board of Directors count on each and every one of you to make the 23rd edition a spectacular success from November 2 to 8, 2025.
SAS Open de Moselle
Board of Directors
[́ ⬇️] pic.twitter.com/RSOMj5MIzi
— Moselle Open (@MoselleOpen) February 3, 2025
