s Tennis Masters Graz, Austria

City:

Graz, Austria

Dates:

August 4-8, 2010

Venue:

Graz-Reininghaus

Director:

Herwig Straka

Surface:

Clay

tickets

The roll of honour in Graz reads like a who's who of former World No.1's and Grand Slam champions of the past two decades. In its seven-year history, the tournament has been just as consistent in its delivery of a professional event, an enjoyable week for the players and a thoroughly fan-friendly experience. Organised by a company with experience of directing the ATP Champions Tour for its first nine years and managing the affairs of Thomas Muster, the tournament always had everything going for it.

Over its first three years, Boris Becker owned the place. It was as if the German red-head was back in his self-proclaimed 'back-garden' - the Wimbledon Centre Court - such was his dominance. He took on all-comers, including Muster backed by a vociferous home-crowd, and won time and time again. Muster finally managed to win on his home soil in 2005 and it was one of the more special moments of his career. Marcelo Rios won a year later in a year that he dominated almost every player he encountered, Michael Stich took the 2007 crown, and then Patrick Rafter marked his return to tennis by winning the title on his ATP Champions Tour debut in 2008.
The second largest city in Austria, behind Vienna, Graz enjoys a Mediterranean climate, shielded by the Alps from the Westerly winds of the North Atlantic.

In August, the tournament usually enjoys uninterrupted sunshine and warm, humid conditions. The city is home to six universities, and in 2003 carried the title of European Capital of Culture. It is twinned with the city of Coventry in the United Kingdom.