Vienna Open
The Erste Bank Open, commonly known as the Vienna Open, is an annual professional men's tennis tournament held in Vienna, Austria, as part of the ATP 500 series on indoor hard courts at the Wiener Stadthalle.[1][2] It features a singles draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 teams, with a total prize money purse of €2,736,875, awarding the singles winner €511,835 and 500 ranking points.[3] The event, which takes place in late October, attracts top-ranked players and serves as a key preparation tournament ahead of the ATP Finals.[1] Established in 1974, the tournament has evolved within the ATP Tour framework, initially as part of the Grand Prix circuit before becoming an ATP 500 event in 2009, reflecting its status among the tour's premier indoor competitions.[2] Over its history, it has hosted numerous tennis legends, with American Brian Gottfried holding the record for most singles titles at four, while Austrian players like Horst Skoff (1988), Jürgen Melzer (2009, 2010), and Dominic Thiem (2019) have also claimed the crown.[3] Recent champions include Jannik Sinner in 2025 for singles and the British duo of Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool for doubles, underscoring the event's blend of international stars and local talent.[4][5] The Vienna Open stands out for its vibrant atmosphere in the 1.7-million-resident city, known as a cultural and political hub of Europe, drawing tens of thousands of spectators annually to the iconic Stadthalle venue.[1][2] Beyond the on-court action, the tournament offers high-end entertainment, fan zones, and VIP experiences, enhancing its reputation as a premier indoor hard-court stop on the ATP calendar.[6] Past winners such as Andy Murray, Daniil Medvedev, Jannik Sinner, and Tommy Haas— the oldest champion at age 35 in 2013—highlight its competitive legacy and appeal to elite players seeking momentum late in the season.[1][3]History
Founding and early years (1974–1989)
The Vienna Open was established in 1974 by the Austrian Tennis Association as an indoor tennis event held at the Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria.[2] It debuted as part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit, serving as a key stop on the professional calendar for top male players during the European indoor season.[1] The tournament featured a singles draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 teams, with play conducted on indoor hard courts in its inaugural edition. The event was not held in 1975. Vitas Gerulaitis claimed the first singles title, defeating Andrew Pattison 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2 in the final after navigating a competitive field that included seeded players like Raúl Ramírez.[7] The tournament transitioned to indoor carpet courts starting in 1976, a surface that favored baseline rallies and fast-paced play common in European indoor tournaments of the era. The late 1970s saw American Brian Gottfried rise to prominence, securing back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1979, both times against Wojtek Fibak, in straight-sets victories of 6–1, 6–1 and 6–4, 6–0, 6–2, respectively.[7] Gottfried's success continued into the early 1980s with additional wins in 1980 over Trey Waltke (6–2, 6–4, 6–3) and in 1982 against Bill Scanlon (6–1, 6–4, 6–0), establishing a notable rivalry with Fibak across multiple finals.[7] In 1981, Ivan Lendl interrupted Gottfried's streak, rallying from a set down to win 1–6, 6–0, 6–1, 6–2 and claim his first Vienna title as the top seed.[8] Throughout the 1980s, the tournament was held on carpet courts, adapting to player preferences and venue capabilities while maintaining its Grand Prix status.[1] Lendl's victory and subsequent appearances helped elevate the event's profile, drawing larger crowds and solidifying Vienna as a premier indoor venue with growing international appeal.[1]ATP Tour integration and modern era (1990–present)
The Vienna Open officially joined the ATP Tour in 1990 as part of the World Series category, equivalent to the modern ATP 250 level, marking its transition from the preceding Grand Prix circuit.[9] Held consistently at the Wiener Stadthalle on indoor hard courts, the event upgraded to the Championship Series (now ATP 500) in 1996, elevating its status and attracting higher-ranked players.[9] This integration solidified the tournament's place in the professional calendar, with the surface and venue remaining unchanged to provide reliable playing conditions during the indoor season.[1] Key developments in the modern era include the tournament's emphasis on emerging talent, as seen in 2017 when it featured prominent Next Gen ATP players alongside home favorite Dominic Thiem, boosting its appeal to younger audiences.[10] The COVID-19 pandemic introduced challenges, but the event proceeded in 2020 under strict health protocols, though Thiem, the 2019 champion, exited in the quarterfinals.[11] In 2021, it returned to full operations, contributing to the tour's resumption amid global restrictions.[1] Further enhancements came in 2024 with the addition of on-site qualifying rounds on October 19 and 20, expanding access for lower-ranked players and increasing the overall event footprint.[12] Significant milestones highlight the tournament's prestige, including Thiem's victory in 2019, which cemented his legacy as the last Austrian champion to date.[13] Alexander Zverev has also excelled, reaching multiple deep runs such as quarterfinals in 2023 and 2024, and the final in 2025, underscoring his consistent performance on the indoor hard courts.[14] Attendance has surged, surpassing 70,000 spectators in 2022 and reaching over 73,000 in 2023, reflecting growing fan engagement.[15] The 2025 edition, the 51st staging, saw Jannik Sinner defeat Zverev 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 in the final to claim his second title there, while a new attendance record of 82,000 was set, aided by the introduction of additional courts at the historic Marx-Halle venue.[16][17]Tournament characteristics
Venue, surface, and scheduling
The Vienna Open, officially known as the Erste Bank Open, is primarily hosted at the Wiener Stadthalle, Austria's largest indoor arena located in Vienna. This multi-purpose venue, situated in the 15th district, features Hall D as the main court for the tournament, with a capacity of approximately 16,000 spectators in its standard configuration, though tennis setups typically accommodate around 10,000 fans due to court and safety arrangements. The Stadthalle has hosted the event since 1974 and underwent expansions in 2006, including the addition of Hall F, enhancing its facilities for major sporting events.[18][19] The tournament is played on indoor hard courts, providing a fast-paced playing surface that favors aggressive serve-and-volley styles and big servers, with a 2025 surface speed rating of 1.23—indicating quicker conditions than the ATP average. The courts measure the standard ATP dimensions of 78 feet in length by 27 feet in width for singles matches and 36 feet in width for doubles. While the specific hard court composition has evolved, it aligns with the tour's indoor standards for consistent bounce and speed.[1][20] Scheduled annually in October as part of Week 42 of the ATP Tour calendar, the main draw runs for one week, typically from Monday to Sunday, culminating in the singles and doubles finals on the final day. Qualifying rounds, when applicable for lower-ranked players, occur in the preceding days. In 2025, the event expanded to a second venue, the historic Marx-Halle, which hosted qualifying and select main-draw matches, boosting overall attendance to a record 82,000 fans and adding practice courts for improved logistics. Night sessions are featured under arena lighting to accommodate evening crowds, and the Wiener Stadthalle's central location ensures easy access via Vienna's efficient public transport network, including direct U-Bahn lines.[1][21][2]Format, categories, and prize money
The Vienna Open, officially known as the Erste Bank Open, follows the standard format for ATP 500 tournaments, featuring a single-elimination structure for both singles and doubles events. The singles competition consists of a 32-player main draw, comprising 28 direct entries based on ATP rankings and 4 qualifiers who advance through a separate 16-player qualifying draw held prior to the main event. Matches are played as best-of-three sets, with standard tiebreaks at 6-6 in the first two sets; the deciding third set requires a player to win by two games without a tiebreak, adhering to ATP regulations for non-Grand Slam events. The top 16 seeds receive a bye into the second round, allowing them to bypass the opening round of 32. The doubles event features a 16-team draw, also in single-elimination format with best-of-three sets. Unlike singles, doubles matches employ no-ad scoring in tiebreaks for the first two sets, and the third set is decided by a 10-point super tiebreak if necessary, which must be won by a margin of two points. Qualification for doubles is limited, with a small 4-team qualifying draw providing one additional spot to the main event, though most teams enter directly via rankings. Since 2015, the tournament has been classified as an ATP 500-level event, having previously been an ATP 250 from 2009 to 2014 after a demotion from its earlier Championship Series status (1996–2008). It focuses on men's singles and doubles categories, aligning with the ATP Tour's structure, though a wheelchair tennis event was introduced in 2025.[22] Prize money for the 2025 edition totals €2,736,875, reflecting the event's status as a premier indoor hard-court stop on the ATP calendar. This represents an increase from previous years, such as the €2,409,835 distributed in 2023.[23] In addition to financial rewards, players earn PIF ATP Ranking points, with the singles winner receiving 500 points and the doubles winning team sharing 500 points. The distribution emphasizes progression, with higher payouts for deeper runs. Below is the singles prize money breakdown:| Round | Prize Money (€) | Ranking Points |
|---|---|---|
| Winner | 511,835 | 500 |
| Finalist | 275,390 | 330 |
| Semi-finalist | 146,765 | 200 |
| Quarter-finalist | 74,980 | 100 |
| Round of 16 | 40,025 | 50 |
| Round of 32 | 21,345 | 25 |
| Qualifier (per round, max 3) | 4,700 | 10 (per round) |
Champions and finals
Singles finals
The singles finals of the Vienna Open have featured intense competition since the tournament's inception in 1974, showcasing a mix of American dominance in the early years, European breakthroughs in the 1980s and 1990s, and a recent surge by top-ranked players on indoor hard courts. The championship matches have often gone to three or five sets, highlighting the event's role as a key late-season ATP 500 stop.[1] Below is the complete list of singles finals from 1974 to 2025, including winners, runners-up, and final scores. Note that the tournament was not held in 1975 due to scheduling conflicts, and it transitioned to the ATP Tour in 1990 with consistent annual play thereafter.[7][24]| Year | Winner | Runner-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Vitas Gerulaitis (USA) | Andrew Pattison (CAN) | 6–4, 3–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
| 1976 | Wojciech Fibak (POL) | Raúl Ramírez (MEX) | 6–7, 6–3, 6–4, 2–6, 6–1 |
| 1977 | Brian Gottfried (USA) | Wojciech Fibak (POL) | 6–1, 6–1 |
| 1978 | Stan Smith (USA) | Balázs Taróczy (HUN) | 4–6, 7–6, 7–6, 6–3 |
| 1979 | Stan Smith (USA) | Wojciech Fibak (POL) | 6–4, 6–0, 6–2 |
| 1980 | Brian Gottfried (USA) | Trey Waltke (USA) | 6–2, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 1981 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) | Brian Gottfried (USA) | 6–2, 6–3, 2–6, 6–2 |
| 1982 | Brian Gottfried (USA) | Bill Scanlon (USA) | 6–1, 6–4, 6–0 |
| 1983 | Brian Gottfried (USA) | Mel Purcell (USA) | 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 |
| 1984 | Tim Wilkison (USA) | Viktor Pecci (PAR) | 6–1, 6–1, 6–2 |
| 1985 | Jan Gunnarsson (SWE) | Libor Pímek (TCH) | 6–7, 6–2, 6–4, 1–6, 7–5 |
| 1986 | Karel Nováček (TCH) | Jakob Hlasek (SUI) | 3–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–0 |
| 1987 | Emilio Sánchez (ESP) | Jonas Svensson (SWE) | 1–6, 1–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 |
| 1988 | Horst Skoff (AUT) | Karel Nováček (TCH) | 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 1989 | Ivan Lendl (TCH) | Ronald Agénor (HAI) | 6–7, 6–4, 6–1, 2–6, 6–3 |
| 1990 | Martin Jaite (ARG) | Horst Skoff (AUT) | 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 6–1 |
| 1991 | Francisco Clavet (ESP) | Petr Korda (TCH) | 6–3, 6–2, 5–7, 6–1 |
| 1992 | Goran Ivanišević (CRO) | Kevin Curren (USA) | 7–6, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 |
| 1993 | Thomas Muster (AUT) | Franco Davín (ARG) | 4–6, 6–4, 6–4, 7–6 |
| 1994 | Pete Sampras (USA) | Malcolm Inness (AUS) | 7–6, 4–6, 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1995 | Filip Dewulf (BEL) | Horst Skoff (AUT) | 7–5, 6–2, 1–6, 7–5 |
| 1996 | Peter Korda (CZE) | Thomas Muster (AUT) | 6–4, 6–7, 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1997 | Goran Ivanišević (CRO) | Carlos Moyá (ESP) | 3–6, 6–7, 7–6, 6–2, 6–3 |
| 1998 | Goran Ivanišević (CRO) | Nicolás Lapentti (ECU) | 6–3, 7–6, 6–1 |
| 1999 | Nicolas Kiefer (GER) | Hicham Arazi (MAR) | 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4 |
| 2000 | Tim Henman (GBR) | Richard Fromberg (AUS) | 6–2, 7–6, 6–4 |
| 2001 | Guillermo Cañas (ARG) | Max Mirnyi (BLR) | 6–2, 7–6, 6–4 |
| 2002 | Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP) | Novak Djokovic (SRB) | 6–4, 6–1, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 2003 | Roger Federer (SUI) | Hynek Koval (CZE) | 6–3, 6–2, 6–3 |
| 2004 | Radek Štěpánek (CZE) | Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) | 6–4, 1–6, 7–5, 3–6, 7–5 |
| 2005 | Andre Agassi (USA) | Ivan Ljubičić (CRO) | 4–6, 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2006 | Radek Štěpánek (CZE) | Juan Mónaco (ARG) | 7–6, 6–4, 6–2 |
| 2007 | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) | Stan Wawrinka (SUI) | 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2008 | Philipp Petzschner (GER) | Gaël Monfils (FRA) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2009 | Jürgen Melzer (AUT) | Marin Čilić (CRO) | 7–6, 6–7, 6–3 |
| 2010 | Jürgen Melzer (AUT) | Gaël Monfils (FRA) | 6–4, 3–6, 6–3 |
| 2011 | Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | 6–7(5), 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2012 | Juan Martín del Potro (ARG) | Grega Žemlja (SLO) | 7–6(3), 6–3 |
| 2013 | Tommy Haas (GER) | Andreas Haider-Maurer (AUT) | 6–3, 6–4 |
| 2014 | David Ferrer (ESP) | Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) | 6–7, 6–3, 7–6 |
| 2015 | David Goffin (BEL) | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | 4–6, 6–4, 6–1 |
| 2016 | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | Lucas Pouille (FRA) | 7–5, 7–6 |
| 2017 | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | Pablo Carreño Busta (ESP) | 7–6, 3–6, 6–4 |
| 2018 | Kevin Anderson (RSA) | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | 6–7, 7–5, 7–5 |
| 2019 | Dominic Thiem (AUT) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | 3–6, 6–4, 7–6 |
| 2020 | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | 6–3, 7–6 |
| 2021 | Alexander Zverev (GER) | Matteo Berrettini (ITA) | 6–4, 3–6, 7–6 |
| 2022 | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | Denis Shapovalov (CAN) | 4–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
| 2023 | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | Daniil Medvedev (RUS) | 7–6, 6–3 |
| 2024 | Jack Draper (GBR) | Karen Khachanov (RUS) | 7–6, 7–5 |
| 2025 | Jannik Sinner (ITA) | Alexander Zverev (GER) | 3–6, 6–3, 7–5 |
Doubles finals
The doubles competition at the Vienna Open has evolved significantly since its inception in 1974, initially dominated by American players in the early years, reflecting the broader U.S. strength in the sport during that era. As the tournament integrated into the ATP Tour in 1990, international collaborations became more prominent, with standout wins by Indian duo Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes in 1994, who defeated local favorites in straight sets to highlight the growing global diversity in doubles. In the 2000s, there was a noticeable shift toward same-nation partnerships, particularly among European teams, as doubles specialists emerged with refined tactics suited to the indoor hard courts. This trend continued into the 2010s and 2020s, with German pair Kevin Krawietz and Andreas Mies claiming back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020, leveraging strong serving and net play to dominate finals. By 2025, Austrian teams had amassed two titles in total, underscoring home-country success amid the tournament's prestige.[5] Recent years have seen a mix of established pairs and rising talents, with British and American combinations adding to the competitive balance.[29] Below is the complete list of doubles finals from 1974 to 2025 (note: not all historical scores are detailed in available sources; full data via ATP archives).[28]| Year | Winners | Runners-up | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Not held or data unavailable | - | - |
| 1976 | Not held or data unavailable | - | - |
| ... (Selected key years for brevity; complete list includes all editions from 1974 onward.) | |||
| 1994 | Mahesh Bhupathi / Leander Paes (IND) | Alex O'Brien / Sandon Stolle (USA/AUS) | 7–6(7–3), 6–4 |
| 2011 | Bob Bryan / Mike Bryan (USA) | Oliver Marach / Filip Polášek (AUT/SVK) | 7–6(7–3), 6–3 |
| 2019 | Kevin Krawietz / Andreas Mies (GER) | Łukasz Kubot / Marcelo Melo (POL/BRA) | 6–4, 6–4 |
| 2020 | Kevin Krawietz / Andreas Mies (GER) | Łukasz Kubot / Wesley Koolhof (POL/NED) | 7–6(7–5), 6–4 |
| 2022 | Alexander Erler / Lucas Miedler (AUT) | Santiago González / Andrés Molteni (MEX/ARG) | 6–3, 7–6(7–1)[30] |
| 2023 | Rajeev Ram / Joe Salisbury (USA/GBR) | Nathaniel Lammons / Jackson Withrow (USA) | 6–4, 6–7(7–9), 10–5[31] |
| 2024 | Alexander Erler / Lucas Miedler (AUT) | Neal Skupski / Michael Venus (GBR/NZL) | 4–6, 6–3, 10–1 |
| 2025 | Julian Cash / Lloyd Glasspool (GBR) | Francisco Cabral / Lucas Miedler (POR/AUT) | 6–1, 7–6(8–6)[5] |
Records and notable achievements
Singles records
Brian Gottfried holds the record for the most singles titles at the Vienna Open with four victories, achieved in 1977, 1980, 1982, and 1983.[3] Alexander Zverev is next with three titles, won in 2016, 2018, and 2021, making him the only other player to reach that mark.[1] Other multiple-time champions include Stan Smith (1978, 1979), Goran Ivanišević (1995, 1997), Pete Sampras (1996, 1998), Roger Federer (2002, 2003), Andy Murray (2014, 2015), Dominic Thiem (2017, 2019), and Jannik Sinner (2023, 2025), each with two triumphs.[32] No player has won three consecutive titles, but several have secured back-to-back victories, including Brian Gottfried (1982, 1983), Roger Federer (2002, 2003), Andy Murray (2014, 2015), and Jürgen Melzer (2009, 2010). Gottfried also appeared in the most finals with five, underscoring his dominance during the late 1970s and early 1980s.[9] The youngest singles champion is Juan Martín del Potro, who claimed the title in 2007 at age 19 years and 21 days, marking his first ATP Tour victory. At the opposite end, Tommy Haas won in 2013 at 35 years old, the oldest victor.[3] Notable underdog successes include Anders Järryd's 1990 win as the lowest-ranked champion at No. 175, and Paul Annacone's 1989 triumph as an unseeded player.[3] Pete Sampras holds the mark for the highest-seeded winner, taking the title as world No. 1 in 1998.[3] Gottfried leads in total match wins with 31, reflecting his extensive participation and success.[9] Zverev boasts one of the highest career win percentages at the event, standing at approximately 73% across 22 matches through 2025 (16 wins, 6 losses).[33]| Player | Titles | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Gottfried | 4 | 1977, 1980, 1982, 1983 |
| Alexander Zverev | 3 | 2016, 2018, 2021 |
| Stan Smith | 2 | 1978, 1979 |
| Goran Ivanišević | 2 | 1995, 1997 |
| Pete Sampras | 2 | 1996, 1998 |
| Roger Federer | 2 | 2002, 2003 |
| Andy Murray | 2 | 2014, 2015 |
| Dominic Thiem | 2 | 2017, 2019 |
| Jannik Sinner | 2 | 2023, 2025 |