Gstaad, Switzerland 12.07.2025 – 20.07.2025
Source: https://swissopengstaad.ch/ and https://www.instagram.com/swissopengstaad/
The EFG Swiss Open Gstaad boasts a long and rich history, making it one of the oldest tennis tournaments in the world. Often referred to as the “Wimbledon of the Alps” due to its picturesque setting, the tournament has been a staple of the professional tennis circuit for over a century.
Here’s a breakdown of its history:
- Early Beginnings (1915 onwards): The tournament’s first edition was held in 1915 at the Gstaad Palace Hotel (then known as the Royal Hotel, Winter & Gstaad Palace), organized in collaboration with the Lawn Tennis Club (LTC) Gstaad. It initially took place on the clay courts laid in 1913 at the hotel. In 1930, new courts were built in the center of the village, and the tournament eventually moved to its current location. In 2015, Switzerland’s oldest tournament celebrated its 100th anniversary.
- Evolution through the Eras:
- From 1971 to 1989, it was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit.
- Since the establishment of the ATP Tour in 1990, it has been a part of the ATP Tour 250 series, a category it maintains today.
- Unique Characteristics:
- Clay Courts: Despite the “Wimbledon of the Alps” nickname, the tournament is played on outdoor clay courts, not grass.
- High Altitude: Gstaad is located at 1,050 meters (3,450 feet) above sea level, making it the highest venue for ATP Tour events in Europe. This altitude can affect ball speed and player conditioning.
- Roy Emerson Arena: The main court is named after Australian record champion Roy Emerson, who won the tournament five times in the 1960s.
- Notable Champions: Over the years, the EFG Swiss Open Gstaad has attracted many of the biggest names in tennis. Some notable past winners include:
- Roy Emerson: The record holder with five titles.
- Rod Laver: A legend of the sport.
- Ilie Nฤstase: A charismatic and successful player.
- Guillermo Vilas: A clay-court specialist.
- Stefan Edberg: A Swedish great.
- Boris Becker: A German tennis icon.
- Roger Federer: The Swiss maestro, who won his home tournament in 2004.
- Alex Corretja: A three-time champion in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
- Sergi Bruguera: Another multiple winner.
- Dominic Thiem: A more recent champion.
- Casper Ruud: A two-time champion in recent years.
- Matteo Berrettini: Another recent champion.
The tournament continues to be a popular stop on the ATP Tour, drawing both established stars and rising talents to the scenic Swiss Alps for a week of competitive clay-court tennis.
