There is no better way to start a tournament week and a new chapter in the history of the BMW Open by Bitpanda. White-blue skies, bright sunshine, summery temperatures and full grandstands on the very first day of the BMW Open by Bitpanda as an ATP 500 event: "We have changed and rebuilt almost everything, but always had the plan to remain a familiar and friendly tournament. I'm really looking forward to it," says Christian Okon, Managing Director of organiser MMP Event.
The main field, like that of the Allianz Para Trophy, was drawn using the official LOTTO Bayern drawing machine. Joachim Buchwieser, Vice President of LOTTO Bayern, was particularly proud: "I am for two reasons. Firstly, because we can now look back on 25 years of a great partnership with the BMW Open and because this anniversary coincides with the premiere of the ATP 500 event. It couldn't be a better fit for us."
World number two Alexander Zverev, Ben Shelton from the USA (#14 in the world), Felix Auger-Aliassime from Canada (#19) and Frenchman Ugo Humbert (#20) lead the prominent field of participants in Munich. They will be 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 fields of participants we have ever had here in Munich. There are already some real cracker matches in 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 pairing of Gael Monfils against Denis Shapovalov also aroused great anticipation in the tournament director.
The number one at the BMW Open by Bitpanda, Alexander Zverev, will play Alexandre Muller from France in the first round. The two players know each other from their youth and Zverev is confident that he will be able to show good tennis in Munich: "Then I won't have to concentrate on my opponent," said the two-time tournament winner of the BMW Open by Bitpanda at a press conference on Saturday afternoon. Zverev went on to say that he really liked the newly designed facility and was particularly impressed by the new centre court. The fine weather that is forecast for the entire week of the tournament also gives him confidence: "If it stays like this, then I hope to go very far. The fans, who have already turned up in large numbers at the MTTC Iphitos facility, would certainly be delighted.
The Allianz Para Trophy matches are also very interesting. Among others, the superstars Alfie Hewitt (GBR, #2 in the world and defending champion), Gustavo Fernandez (ARG, #4) and Gordon Reid (GBR, #5) have registered. Jessica Weber, Head of Sponsoring Allianz Germany, emphasised the importance of Allianz's commitment to para-sport: "Inclusion is a very essential topic for us, which we also live in our everyday lives. That's why the development of the Allianz Para Trophy is great and the setting here is fantastic," she said at the draw. The Allianz Para Trophy will take place from 17 - 19 April 2025.
