BMW Open 2024:
Dominic Thiem receives first wildcard, early confirmation from Jan-Lennard Struff
Allianz Para Trophy becomes official ITF Grade 1 tournament
Six out of nine days sold out
(Munich) One month before the start of the tournament, two former finalists have already confirmed their participation in the BMW Open, with Dominic Thiem receiving the first wild card from the organiser for the ATP 250 tournament from 13 - 21 April at MTTC Iphitos. The 30-year-old Austrian, who has already won 17 singles titles on the tour including the 2020 US Open, will do everything in his power to repeat his 2016 final appearance in Munich. "I can't wait to play in Munich again and I'm looking forward to seeing the spectators there," said Thiem just over four weeks before the 108th edition of the traditional tournament. Jan-Lennard Struff, another top player and former finalist, has confirmed his participation in the BMW Open. The current No. 25 in the world rankings reached the final three years ago and, like Dominic Thiem, can look forward to plenty of support on centre court. "We are delighted to have secured the German number one and two for the tournament at such an early stage," said Tournament Director Patrik Kühnen about "Struffi's" commitment. Alexander Zverev, the current world No. 6, and defending champion Holger Rune (#7) had already confirmed their participation in the last 250 in the Bavarian capital in autumn. From next year, the tournament will belong to the ATP 500 category.
Allianz Para Trophy official ITF Grade 1 tournament // Four top 5 players already confirmed today
Successfully integrated into the BMW Open together with Allianz for the first time two years ago, the Allianz Para Trophy has already achieved this year what the Munich ATP tournament will be doing next year - promotion to an ITF Series 1 event, comparable in value to an ATP 500 event. Only the four well-known Grand Slams and the Super Series are bigger on the international tour.
The step towards an official tournament of the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour means not only an additional doubles competition and a larger field of 16 players, but also more prize money (EUR 40,000), more prestige and an even more attractive sporting field. After the two invitational tournaments in 2022 and 2023 were already very well attended and last year the world No. 1 Alfie Hewett triumphed, Munich spectators can look forward to even more world-class players this year. The following players have already confirmed their participation in the tournament from 18 - 20 April: Alfie Hewett (currently #2 in the world), Gustavo Fernandez (#3), Martin De La Puente (#4) and Gordon Reid (#5). Four top 5 players and another top 10 players to come, absolute Grand Slam level at the Allianz Para Trophy in 2024.
"We have been a partner of the Paralympic movement since 2006, and inclusion is part of everyday life at our company. It is therefore a matter of course for Allianz to support wheelchair tennis. I am also very pleased that after two years as an invitational tournament, the Allianz Para Trophy has now been granted official ITF-1 tournament status and the athletes can also collect valuable world ranking points for the Paralympic Games in Paris 2024. We are delighted to be able to welcome so many top players again this year," says Daniela Bauer, Global Head of Partnerships Allianz SE.
As last year, Mischa Zverev will take on the role of Tournament Director and is also looking forward to the next level: "I am delighted that we are now part of the ITF Tour and are taking the next step towards a Grade 1 tournament. We can look forward to some great tennis at this year's Allianz Para Trophy," said Zverev.
Six out of nine days sold out // Tickets still available from Monday to Wednesday
The days from Thursday to Sunday and the qualification weekend are currently sold out. Remaining tickets are available for the other days, but are already in short supply in some categories. Anyone who would like to see Alexander Zverev live on Centre Court should mark the Wednesday of the tournament in red, while defending champion Holger Rune will take part in the action for the first time on the Thursday of the tournament (both according to current planning).
Tickets are available HERE.
