Wiener schnitzel, an Austrian beer, and tennis. Add the fluffy local pastry Kaiserschmarrn to the mix, and you have all the ingredients for a pretty perfect day at the Erste Bank Open.
Carlos Alcaraz was here, winning the title in a dominant performance, and he spoke about how much he and his team had enjoyed their week, both on and off the court. He said they had felt relaxed, had a wonderful time in the city, and that coming to Vienna had been one of the best decisions they could have made.
He also praised the fans for their enthusiasm and love of tennis. Having spent the week at the tournament myself, I could understand why he felt that way.
I’ve been to many tennis tournaments over the years, both as a player and a spectator, but there was something special about experiencing one in Vienna. Austria might be better known for its skiing, but tennis has a loyal following here. The words “City of Vienna” flanked the net at the Wiener Stadthalle, and for this week, it really did feel like a tennis town.