A tournament week and a new chapter in the history of the BMW Open by Bitpanda could not have got off to a better start. A clear blue sky, glorious sunshine, summery temperatures and packed stands on the very first day of the BMW Open by Bitpanda as an ATP 500 event: “We’ve changed and rebuilt virtually everything, but our plan has always been to remain a friendly, family-oriented tournament. I’m really looking forward to it,” said Christian Okon, Managing Director of the organiser MMP Event.
The main draw, as well as that for the Allianz Para Trophy, was conducted using LOTTO Bayern’s official draw machine. Joachim Buchwieser, Vice-President of LOTTO Bayern, was particularly proud: “I’m proud for two reasons. Firstly, because we can now look back on a wonderful 25-year partnership with the BMW Open, and secondly because this anniversary coincides with the tournament’s debut as an ATP 500 event. It couldn’t have worked out better for us.”
The world number two, Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton from the USA (world number 14), Felix Auger-Aliassime from Canada (world number 19) and France’s Ugo Humbert (world number 20) lead the star-studded line-up in Munich. They are joined by defending champion Jan-Lennard Struff and the Czech Jakub Mensik, who won the Masters tournament in Miami a few weeks ago, beating Novak Djokovic in the final. Tournament director Patrik Kühnen is looking forward to “one of the best line-ups we’ve ever had here in Munich. There are some real cracker matches right from the first round.” Kühnen is referring, for example, to the match between Jan-Lennard Struff and Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina: “That’s a really tough nut for Struffi to crack; Cerundolo is one of the absolute clay-court specialists.” The tie between Gaël Monfils and Denis Shapovalov also sparked great anticipation in the tournament director.
The number one seed at the BMW Open by Bitpanda, Alexander Zverev, will face Alexandre Muller from France in the first round. The two have known each other since their junior days, and Zverev expressed confidence that he would be able to play some good tennis in Munich: “That means I won’t have to focus on my opponent,” said the two-time BMW Open by Bitpanda champion at a press conference on Saturday afternoon. Zverev went on to say that he really likes the newly redesigned grounds, and is particularly impressed by the new Centre Court. He is also encouraged by the fine weather forecast for the entire tournament week: “If it stays like this, then I hope to go a long way.” The fans, who have already turned out in large numbers at the MTTC Iphitos grounds, would certainly be delighted by this.
The matches in the Allianz Para Trophy are also very interesting. Among those entered are superstars Alfie Hewitt (GBR, world No. 2 and defending champion), Gustavo Fernandez (ARG, No. 4) and Gordon Reid (GBR, No. 5). Jessica Weber, Head of Sponsoring at Allianz Germany, emphasised just how important the Allianz’s commitment to para-sport is: “Inclusion is a crucial issue for us, one that we put into practice in our everyday lives. That’s why the development of the Allianz Para Trophy is brilliant and the setting here is fantastic,” she said at the draw. The Allianz Para Trophy will take place from 17 to 19 April 2025.
