Anna Bondar achieves ‘double triumph’ at the ECE LADIES HAMBURG OPEN

The great triumphant of the ECE Ladies Hamburg Open 2024 is Anna Bondar! The Hungarian won both the singles and doubles at the WTA 125s tournament in the traditional Rothenbaum tennis stadium in front of around 2000 spectators. After her convincing 6:4, 6:2 victory over last year's winner Arantxa Rus in the final of the singles competition, she won the doubles alongside her partner Kimberley Zimmermann (Belgium) against Arantxa Rus (Netherlands) and the Serbian Nina Stojanovic 5:7, 6:3 and 11:9.

In the singles final, Anna Bondar put on a tactical masterpiece, acting very skillfully against the offensive play of the Dutch defending champion and was above all the better return player.

With a 6:4 win in the first set, she took the first set of the entire tournament week from Rus and was also the better player thereafter.Bondar looked extremely strong, especially mentally, did not allow a single break chance in the second set and converted her first match point after 97 minutes to win 6:4 and 6:2. It was the Hungarian's second WTA tournament win of her career. 
She won her first title in 2021 at the WTA 125 tournament in Buenos Aires. Just last week, she triumphed at the ITF tournament in Hechingen. She has now won all of her last ten singles matches on the tour. In Hamburg, former Hungarian ATP player Peter Nagy was at her side as her coach for the first time. Bondar will receive prize money of 13,040 euros for her triumph at the Rothenbaum. She improves to 78th place in the world rankings.

After her success in the singles, she was now determined to take home the winner's trophy in the doubles as well.
Together with her partner and good friend Kimberley Zimmermann, she mobilized all her strength again after losing the first set, managed to equalize the set and fended off two match points in the match tie-break.In the end, Bondar/Zimmermann celebarated a 5:7, 6:3, 11:9 victory over Rus/Stojanovic after 1:46 hours.It was a thrilling final of a varied, exciting and top-class tournament week.

Quotes from the Rothenbaum:
Arantxa Rus: “I really enjoyed it.Last year and this year, I was able to spend a whole week here and the tournament is just really nice.”

Anna Bondar: “It was my first time at this tournament and I felt very welcome right from the start.I am very happy that I was able to win my second WTA title here. 
It was a tough match and also an exhausting week. Thanks to all the fans who cheered us on so much.”

Dr. Franziska Kriener (representative of the Ministry of the Interior & Sport of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg): “Women's sport is a very big and important thing and that's why it's so important that the tournament took place this year. I am delighted that we as Active City are part of it and that we will continue to pursue it together next year.”

Alexander Otto (CEO of the ECE Group): “Anna and Arantxa played fantastically and both had a very good tournament week here.
It is a very important sign that the tournament was organized this year, even in an Olympic year.Next year, the 250 tournament will be back here in Hamburg.I think it's great that you, dear Sandra, have taken the tournament into your own hands.”
Consistently positive tournament results: “We want to establish women's tennis in Hamburg”

Consistently positive tournament results: “We want to establish women's tennis in Hamburg”
On the final day of the ECE Ladies Hamburg Open, Tournament Director Sandra Reichel looked back on an eventful week of tournaments with around 8,000 tennis fans making the pilgrimage to the Rothenbaum and took stock: “It was incredibly important that we were able to host a women's tournament at the Rothenbaum this year after all.This is not only a signal of reliability to the players and our loyal fans, but also a vote of confidence in our partners.We have once again sent out a clear signal for women's sport and shown that we all want to establish women's tennis in Hamburg together. This week, we provided a great stage for the players from the region and our own young talents. A total of ten German players competed in the main draw.Of course, a big thank you goes to all our partners and supporters, especially our title sponsor the ECE Group with Alexander Otto, the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg with Interior and Sports Senator Andy Grote, who were instrumental in making this tournament possible.I was particularly pleased that our Inclusion Days and the ECE Kids Cup were also continued.Our efforts really paid off.I believe that we have also grown even closer together as a team,” said Reichel  and immediately looked ahead. “I'm already looking forward to seeing everyone again next summer, when we play our WTA 250 tournament again from July 13 to 20, 2025.”