Roger Federer, Tomas Berdych to play Gerry Weber Open – Tennis News
Former world number one, Roger Federer, has confirmed that he will be available for the 20th edition of Gerry Weber Open next season. The Swiss maestro has a life-time contract to play at the event, which he signed two
years back, and is he is already bagged the championship title five times in the past.
As part of the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 swing, Gerry Weber Open will be held on the grassy courts of Halle, Germany, from 11th to 17th of June next year, with a prize money
of € 663,750 for the contestants. The home favourite, Philipp Kohlschreiber, won the last year’s title by defeating his fellow compatriot, Philipp Petzschner, in an all-German affair.
Federer will be joined by the seventh ranked Czech competitor, Tomas Berdych and the world number 16, Gael Monfils of France, in the exciting field at the Gerry Weber Open. World number two, Rafael Nadal of Spain has already signed
a three-year contract to play the event earlier this week and will be leading the field at Halle next summer.
Gerry Weber Open will be a vital stop for players in their preparations for the coveted Grand Slam tournament in London, the Wimbledon Championships, following the same month. The ATP World Tour 250 event will give the contestants
the required momentum to perform well at Wimbledon.
Tournament director, Ralf Weber, was extremely delighted with the inclusion of top class tennis players in the event and hopes to see nail-biting action at Halle next season.
“In all the conversations I have held with the players, it has been confirmed to me once again that our tournament for them is an important mark in their schedules,” said Weber.
Czech number one, Berdych, also lifted the Gerry Weber Open trophy in 2007 edition and he is eager to repeat his memorable feat in Halle in the coming season as well.
“The stadium is awesome and the enthusiasm of the audience is very emotional,” Berdych told Weber, “Nevertheless, I am able to prepare for the upcoming tournaments in a laid-back ambiance. This is important specifically for 2012,
since Wimbledon will be followed by the Olympic Games in London.”
16th ranked Frenchman, Monfils, has also shown his acceptance to Weber for playing the event next year in search of his maiden grass-court championship title. The star-studded filed at Halle has made the event more than
a World Tour 250-level tournament and it will surely will be treat to watch the top class contestants in action on the grass courts of Germany next summer.
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