The Austrian Tennis Association around President Martin Ohneberg sees itself well positioned. Not least thanks to Dominic Thiem, the US Open Champion 2020, the sport with the yellow felt ball is booming. “There are now more clubs, the number of members has increased from 178,000 to 190,000. We are on the right track,” said the ÖTV boss, who can look forward to an increase in funding of half a million euros. The mood is still not untroubled, this is due to the energy problem (high cost factor). “We urgently need a solution. Otherwise there is a risk that we will lose a lot of halls and tennis will become a six-month sport.” The renowned Viennese Park Club is said to be considering closing at the beginning of the year.
Austria’s ladies still have a home for the Billie Jean King Cup duel with Latvia on November 11th and 12th. The venue will be the Multiversum Schwechat, where the only current top 100 player in the country – Julia Grabher is number 85 – will be conspicuous by her absence due to different tournament plans.
Two (by choice) Upper Austrians lead the red-white-red field – Sinja Kraus (WRL No. 203), Bundesliga player of UTC Fischer Ried, and Barbara Haas (Linz AG Team Upper Austria), who are only in the world rankings is in position 401. Nevertheless, team captain Marion Maruska is confident. “We’re definitely not the favourites. But we also have players who have the potential to beat Jelena Ostapenko.” The number 1 of the Baltics is in 18th position in the WTA ranking. The ÖTV is far from this category.
Source: Nachrichten
