European Open: "Tennis is still alive in Belgium," says tournament director in Antwerp
Tournament director Dick Norman can look back on a successful edition of the European Open, the ATP 250 men's tennis tournament on indoor hard courts that took place this week in the Lotto Arena in Antwerp and finished this Sunday 23 October. "The fans have seen a lot of nail biters and thrillers," celebrated Norman. During this competition a total of 16 couples faced each other.
Norman hoped at the launch of the European Open, Monday morning in the Antwerp chocolate museum Chocolate Nation, for a tournament "to lick your thumbs and fingers". This Sunday, the West Fleming stated that his expectations were more than fulfilled.
"I've seen a lot of exciting matches," Norman said at the closing press conference. "Decisions were often made in a tiebreak. You can't control that as an organization, of course, but such tension is a nice bonus. There were several highlights for me in recent days, but I remember, among other things, the performance of the young Gilles-Arnaud Bailly , who played a great game against David Goffin."
More than 28,000 spectators came to the Lotto Arena, a record for the European Open. Around 70 percent of them also took part in a match in previous editions. "We offer the fans tickets at democratic prices in my view", Norman explains the success.
"We want the hall as full as possible because that only benefits the atmosphere. The fact that the fans came in mass to Antwerp shows that tennis is still alive in Belgium."
Results
The Dutch Botic Van de Zandschulp and Tallon Griekspoor won the doubles tournament. With this result, the players become the champions of the ATP 250 tournament in Antwerp.
The match data shows that Van de Zandschulp and Griekspoor, the winners, managed to break their rivals once, obtained 68% first serve, committed 3 double faults, and managed to win 68% of the points on serve.
(VIV)
© BELGA PHOTO (DAVID PINTENS) Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime poses with the trophy after the men's singles final match in Antwerp, Sunday 23 October 2022.