Dick Norman will be the new tournament director of the third edition of the European Open. Kristoff Puelinckx, CEO of tournament owner Tennium, announced this on Monday. Together with his wife Ilse Van Parys, ex-tennis player Big Dick is now on top of the prestigious ATP tournament that is part of the ATP World Tour 250 Series.
Experienced tandem
With tournament director Norman and event director Van Parys, Tennium gets an experienced duo for the third edition of the European Open. For four years (from 2006 to 2009) the couple organized the AXA Belgian Masters, which could be called the unofficial Belgian Championship with the best eight Belgian players of that moment.
“We return, as it were, back to our roots,” Norman stated. “Ilse and I are already super motivated to make our first ATP tournament a success.” It is no coincidence that an ex-tennis player is now also chosen for the European Open. “It’s a trend that you see in a lot of countries these days,” explains Norman. “Richard Krajicek at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam is just one example. My experience on and next to the tennis court will be put to good use here.”
Fresh wind
“The importance of an ATP tournament in our country is not to be underestimated for the popularity of Belgian tennis,” Van Parys adds. “More than ever we want to make the European Open a real experience, with a cool fan zone, a party and a lot of entertainment next to the tournament. In addition, we will be actively promoting the European Open in the coming period, as we will, among other things, attract various tennis clubs in our country. ”
The European Open will take place this year from 14 to 21 October in the Lotto Arena in Antwerp. True to tradition, this year’s tournament brings together some of the best tennis players in the world and Belgium. The event is an initiative of Tennium, an international company active in the world of tennis and was founded by Kristoff Puelinckx in collaboration with French ex-player Sébastien Grosjean, winner of the Davis Cup for the French team in 2001.