Berlin field compares to a Grand Slam tourney

This year’s Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova is missing from the list of players taking part in the $1.34m Qatar Telecom German Open. And so is Slovakia’s Daniela Hantuchova, who reached the semi-finals at the year’s first Grand Slam.

However, Tournament Director Ayman Azmy is convinced the seven-day event has lost none of its glamour, thanks chiefly to the presence of seven of the world’s top 10 players in the German capital.

“Our list of players can easily compare to that of a Grand Slam tournament. The world’s premier players are taking part in the Qatar Telecom German Open,” Azmy said yesterday in Berlin.

Despite the withdrawal of Sharapova, winner of three titles this season, and Hantuchova, the Berlin tournament boasts the presence of clay court specialist Justine Henin of Belgium.

“This year’s field includes the world number one from Belgium and the defending champion Ana Ivanovic, the world number two,” added Azmy.

The other top 10 players set to compete in Berlin this week are Russia’s Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, Serena Williams of the US and Russian duo of Anna Chakvetadze and Elena Dementieva. Kuznetsova lost the final to Ivanovic last year.

Azmy said he expected to see a better turnout of fans compared to last year’s figure of nearly 38,000.

“We are watching the German weather patterns very closely. The locals have predicted sunshine until Saturday at least,” Azmy said while referring to the rainy spell seen at last year’s event.

“We’re hoping to see an increase in the number of spectators this year. The meteorological department has informed us that we will see no rain rains till Saturday. Till then we should see bright sunlight.”

In May 2007, a total of 38,000 spectators followed the matches of the tournament where the centre court is named after tennis legend Steffi Graf.

When asked about the lack of German sponsors at the Berlin event, Azmy was diplomatic with his reply. He said: “You would have to ask the sponsors that. We deliver a good package with a top field of entries, good organisation and excellent facilities. This is why the sponsors should answer the question and not me.”

Azmy said this year’s event is being staged with profound changes in the landscape of the tournament venue, the LTTC Rot-Weiss.

“We have set up a new pavilion called ‘The Qatar Village’. We have had that since 2005, our first year here, but for this year’s event, we have redecorated the village. The Qatar Village profoundly reminds its visitors of the country’s tradition and rich past. Another new addition is the new colour scheme of orange and pink which is now represented at the entire tournament venue,” explained Azmy.

“We have also changed the main VIP pavilion,” Ayman added.