ITF World Tour Event Kirschbaum International celebrates its 20th tournament anniversary

When the Kirschbaum International returns April 21st to 28th, 2024 , the tennis stars of tomorrow will be taking to the court. The ITF World Tour event primarily features young talents and up-and-coming players on the verge of joining the ATP Tour. This year, the traditional tournament is something truly special: tournament organizer Marc Raffel, along with the organizing team and all sponsors, especially title sponsor Kirschbaum, is celebrating the tournament's 20th anniversary. This is anything but a given in today's tournament landscape.

We are delighted to be a tournament partner again this year and wish the organizers, spectators and players a fantastic and exciting tournament!

The anniversary edition of Kirschbaum International will take place in 2024

The list of participants in the 20-year history of ITF World Ranking Tennis in Kaarst and Meerbusch reads like a who's who of tennis. Whether it's Milos Raonic (CAN), Sergey Bubka (UKR), Miloslav Mecir (SVK), Nikoloz Basilashvilli (GEO), Matwe Middelkoop, Botic van de Zandschulp, or Igor Sijsling (all NED), they've all graced the courts of this long-established world ranking tournament in the Rhein-Kreis Neuss district. More recently, at the Australian Open at the end of January, a 21-year-old Frenchman named Arthur Cazeaux made headlines by sensationally reaching the round of 16, including a victory against superstar Holger Rune. And this same Arthur Cazeaux reached the final of the Kirschbaum International in 2021, narrowly losing to Austrian Alexander Erler.

Attractiveness and quality of the ITF World Tennis Tour

“This demonstrates the attractiveness and quality of the ITF World Tennis Tour,” said organizer Marc Raffel. But the Germans have also consistently impressed in Kaarst and Meerbusch in the past. Julian Reister, Philipp Petzschner, Oscar Otte, Daniel Altmaier, and Elmar Ejupovic caused a sensation, with Mats Moraing even winning the title in 2016. “There should be many more events like the Kirschbaum International as part of the DTB Internationals on the German tournament calendar; then we will develop more top German players again,” Raffel added.

20th anniversary at the end of April in Meerbusch

And so, Kirschbaum International will celebrate its proud 20th anniversary from April 21st to 28th this year at the TeReMeer tennis center in Meerbusch. "We're not charging admission until the semifinals and finals to offer top-level tennis to local players and clubs free of charge," says Raffel. Tickets for the semifinals on Saturday and the finals on Sunday will cost €10. The tournament will feature a 64-player qualifying round, a 32-player singles main draw, and a 16-player doubles main draw, starting at noon on weekdays and at 1 p.m. on the finals weekend. "I would like to thank all our partners and sponsors, my organizing team, and the professional tennis players for 20 fantastic years of dedication and world-class tennis," says Marc Raffel.

Kirschbaum International compact