Berlin is a city known for its turbulent history, nightlife, and modern architecture. However, in recent years, it has also established itself as an important tennis capital. Here, in the green district of Grunewald, one of the most prestigious grass tournaments in the women's circuit is held annually. The German capital is reclaiming its former glory by attracting the world's best tennis players and pleasing the audience with an atmosphere that combines the elegance of old school and the drive of modern show. Let's familiarize ourselves with the main tennis events in Berlin. **bett1open: the main women's grass tournament** Since 2021, Berlin has been hosting a WTA 500 women's tournament called bett1open. It takes place on the courts of the famous LTTC Rot-Weiß club in the Grunewald district. This event has become a real breath of fresh air for German fans, who for many years have been without major competitions in the capital. The tournament has replaced the historic German Open, which was held in Berlin since 1896. Thanks to the modern approach of the organizers and the attractive "tennis and lifestyle" concept, bett1open has quickly gained popularity and become an important stage in the preparation for Wimbledon. **Grass surface: speed and tradition** Unlike many European tournaments that play on clay or hard courts, Berlin has chosen grass. This surface is considered one of the most challenging and fastest. It requires perfect movement technique, sharp reaction, and the ability to play at the net. The courts in Grunewald are famous for the quality of the grass, which is prepared to standards close to Wimbledon. The low and slippery bounce forces players to act aggressively, take risks, and show spectacular tennis. For fans, it is an opportunity to see powerful serves, shortened shots, and net approaches long before the start of the third Grand Slam of the year. **Stars who have won in Berlin** For several years, the best tennis players in the world have shone on the Berlin grass. In 2021, Ludmila Samsonova became the first champion. In 2022, victory went to Ons Jabeur, who then reached the Wimbledon final. 2023 brought success to Arina Sobolenko, and in 2024, Elena Rybakina won the trophy. In 2025, an unexpected victory went to Czech Kateřina Siniaková. The 2026 tournament is expected to feature several top-10 players: Iga Świątek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula. Berlin courts have become the place where stars test their readiness for the main grass start. **Atmosphere and entertainment for fans** The organizers of bett1open have bet on turning matches into a real festival. A fan zone called "Tennis Village" is set up around the courts: here, there are big screens, cyber tennis simulators, points of organic burgers and craft beer. Free master classes are held for children. The tournament has an environmental mission: waste sorting is used, reusable cups, and electric cars for player transport. Evening sessions are often accompanied by DJ sets, attracting young audiences far from traditional tennis conventions. The Berlin tournament is one of the most progressive in the tour. **Men's tennis in Berlin: Challengers and Davis Cup** While men in Berlin do not have their own ATP 250 or 500 tournament, the capital does not remain without men's tennis. Every May, the "Berlin Challenger" takes place on clay courts. This Challenger 125 tournament serves as a springboard for young German talents. In addition, Berlin often hosts Davis Cup matches for the German national team. In 2024, for example, the match Germany - Hungary took place here, attracting almost 10,000 spectators in the Max-Schmeling-Halle. It is rumored that in the coming years Berlin may compete for the right to host an ATP 250 tournament, making the capital a full-fledged tennis center. **Legendary courts of the Rot-Weiß club** All matches of bett1open are held on the territory of the tennis club LTTC Rot-Weiß, founded back in 1913. This place is steeped in history: legends of pre-war tennis played here, and after the war, the club became a center for the revival of German sports. The central court, named after Gottfried von Kramm, accommodates about 5,000 spectators. The closeness of the stands to the line creates a unique acoustics and pressure on players. Despite the intimacy, the atmosphere on these courts is comparable to the best club stadiums in the world. During breaks between matches, spectators can stroll through the park, where century-old oaks and lindens grow, adding a special charm to the tournament. **How to get there and what to see nearby** The courts of the Rot-Weiß club are located in the district of Wilmerdorf, not far from the S-Bahn station "Heidelberger Platz". You can reach the center of Berlin by train in 15 minutes. After the matches, it is worth walking along Kurfürstendamm - the main trade artery in the western part of the city, visiting the Berlin Zoo, one of the oldest in Europe, or visiting the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church. Within a radius of 2 km, there are many restaurants where you can enjoy classic Berlin currywurst and schnitzel. Tennis tickets start at 30 euros, making the tournament accessible to family audiences. **Innovations: hawk, chip, and eco-friendly uniforms** In 2026, bett1open organizers introduced a number of technical innovations. Hawk-Eye Live systems have been installed on all courts, completely replacing line judges. For the first time in the WTA tour, a "smart" ball with an embedded chip is used: it determines not only an out but also the point of the shot, spin, and speed, helping judges and television graphics. The tournament has also become a platform for testing eco-friendly uniforms: volunteers and line judges are dressed in plastic recycling uniforms. Spectators can order food and drinks directly to the stands through the app, without distracting from the game. **The future of tennis in the German capital** The success of bett1open has led the German Tennis Federation to think about expanding Berlin's presence in the calendar. Negotiations are already underway to hold a combined ATP and WTA tournament, as in Madrid or Rome. It is planned to build a temporary roof over the central court, which will allow matches to be held in any weather. Berlin also bids to host the Billie Jean King Cup (women's version of the Davis Cup) in 2028. The German capital is striving to become one of the centers of world tennis, and it has everything for this: infrastructure, audience, and love for sports.
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