The TC Weilheim cannot be stopped by Corona: From May 12th to 16th, the association will again host the “Sparkassencup”, a ranking tournament for senior citizens.
However, this requires a lot of effort, as Frank Möller from the tournament management reports.
Weilheim - The two companies he runs currently have to do without Frank Möller. The man from Weilheim has taken a break because the “Sparkassencup” project needs his full commitment. From May 12th to 16th, the TC Weilheim organizes its ranking tournament for seniors again. Setting up a supraregional tennis event in Corona times is a special challenge and cannot be achieved on the side. At least not if it is supposed to meet the requirements of Möller and TC Weilheim. The competition for seniors (from the age groups men 40 and women 40) has developed since its premiere in 2002 and has achieved a certain status.
You don't just give up on something like that. Last year, the event had to be canceled due to the corona pandemic. For this year there was another rejection in the room. But Möller, as a player himself often on the road to tournaments, received many inquiries from the Munich area, among others, as to whether the TC Weilheim might not organize its "Sparkassencup" again. So "I let myself be beaten," says Möller. Together with a whole team, he takes care of the tournament organization. Due to the postponement of the team season (start is expected in mid-June), the originally planned tournament date (mid-July) could not be kept. The tournament management decided, in consultation with the Bavarian Tennis Association (BTV), to bring the date forward to May - “as a preparation tournament for the clay court season”,said TC press officer Oliver Richter.
Many registrations for the "Sparkassencup"
The number of registrations for the “Sparkassencup” well before the registration deadline showed that after long months of lockdown, the athletes are hot to compete again.
Around 90 commitments had been made up to a week before the first round.
Möller estimates that there could ultimately be up to 140 participants.
Among those registered are players who belong to the German ranking list in their classes. “They know how to hit the ball,” says Möller. The men's 50 class is particularly strong: eight of the 16 players to date (the limit is 32) are listed. These include the German number four (Michael Austen / TC Augsburg), number ten (Reto Tietz / Rot-Weiß Landshut) and number 23 (Jochen Weijnar / Rot-Weiß Landshut). The men's 50 winner of the latest edition 2019 is also there again: the former professional Terry Deeth officially competes for the TC Sigmaringen, but is now rooted in the region - as a club trainer at TC Seeshaupt. Deeth is number twelve in the German rankings. Local hero Christian Fuchs is the men's 40, he is multiple Bavarian champion,one of the parties - and also the reigning winner in his class. In the women's 50, three players from the ranking have so far been registered: Sabine Henn (number 29 / TSV Altenfurt), Katharina Kirchberger (31 / SV Helfendorf) and Luise Humml (54 / TC Schongau). One of the favorites to win the women’s 40s should be the current number four in the DTB rankings, Kristine Quadflieg (TC Gauting). “We hoped but didn't believe that the tournament would pull like this,” says Möller. Because Corona causes considerable restrictions.Kristine Quadflieg (TC Gauting). “We hoped but didn't believe that the tournament would pull like this,” says Möller. Because Corona causes considerable restrictions.Kristine Quadflieg (TC Gauting). “We hoped but didn't believe that the tournament would pull like this,” says Möller. Because Corona causes considerable restrictions.
No spectators are allowed, even people accompanying players are not allowed.
In the entire area of the facility, it is “compulsory to wear an FFP2 mask”, as stated in the rules of conduct for the tournament.
The hygiene concept created especially for the “Sparkassencup” in cooperation with the BTV cost Möller quite a bit of time and nerves.
no spectators, FFP2 masks are mandatory
The work, with which the greatest possible security is to be guaranteed, comprises 14 points on about one and a half DIN A4 pages. The whole effort “is crisp,” says Möller. Catering in the club restaurant is not possible even for the closed society of players and officials. At least the possibility for take-away snacks and drinks was created. Changing rooms and showers are closed. Tents are set up so that the players can change their clothes, but they have to be ventilated accordingly.
Despite all the restrictions, the anticipation among the participants is great. “They are happy without end,” says Möller. In addition to a welcome preparation for the team season, the tournament also offers the chance to get ranking points and improve in the performance classes. And then there is also a total of almost 3000 euros in prize money. In addition to all the personal commitment on the part of various TC members, such a tournament is not feasible without sponsors. TC Weilheim can once again count on the “Widmann und Winterholler” dealership and the “Sparkasse Oberland”.
Even if everything has been prepared in the best possible way, Möller still sees “a great danger”: the weather. Due to the corona pandemic, it is not possible to switch to tennis halls (all closed) in the event of rain this year. So only the outdoor facilities in Weilheim (main venue) as well as Wielenbach and Bernried remain. "We hope that Petrus means well," says Möller.
The tournament: Playing times:
Wednesday, May 12th: 10 a.m .: Men 70, Men 75 (1st round), 12 noon: Men 65 (1st round), 5 p.m .: Men 60 (1st round). Thursday, May 13th: 10am: men 55, men 50 (1st round), 12pm: women 40 (1st round), men 70 (2nd round), 2pm: men 40 (1st round), Men 75 (2nd round), 5.30 p.m .: women 40, women 50 (1st round), 6 p.m .: men 60, men 65 (2nd round). Friday (May 14th) up to and including Sunday (May 16th): all competitions from 9 a.m.