This was the "Official Tennis Experience"

In the exhibition, tennis fans, sports enthusiasts and families could immerse themselves in 50 years of tournament history, experience exclusive exhibits such as Thomas Muster's biggest trophies and Dominic Thiem's last professional racket up close and even pick up a racket themselves with VR glasses.

The “Official Tennis Experience” in Studio F of the Wiener Stadthalle had been open since October 9. As part of “Champions of Vienna”, thousands of people flocked to the exhibition before and during the Erste Bank Open 2024. “The 'Official Tennis Experience' was a crowd puller during the tournament week, and the Erste Bank Open was further enhanced by this and other additional offers. The feedback from visitors was extremely positive, which makes us very happy”, says Tournament Director Herwig Straka.

Austria's tennis idols were also celebrated. After his last professional match, Dominic Thiem literally hung up his tennis racket on the center court of the Wiener Stadthalle. Since then, that racket, like Thiem's shoes from the 2020 US Open (“What kind of shoes are those?!”), were on display in the “Official Tennis Experience”. Using VR glasses, you could experience Thiem's farewell speech at the Erste Bank Open as if you were standing next to him on the center court of the Stadthalle. Selfies with the 2020 US Open winner were also possible, as Thiem's original wax figure from “Madame Tussauds” was on display.

Until November 3, this was also the last chance to see Thomas Muster's biggest trophies up close. Eleven trophies, including those from the 1995 French Open, were on display in the “Official Tennis Experience” and were also auctioned off for charity on the Aurena auction platform (www.aurena.at).

The “Official Tennis Experience” was an ideal leisure activity for young people and families during the fall vacations. Thanks to VR goggles, iconic videos, hands-on stations, historical exhibits, interesting facts and exclusive insights, there was something to see and experience for young, old and everything in between.

Thanks to VR experiences, the exhibition was a perfect fall vacation activity for children and families. In the State of the Art VR Tennis Experience, visitors became the star of an exciting sports adventure.  With the exciting VR app “Tennis Esports”, everyone could put their skills to the test on site.