Excitement is building as the most important national tennis tournament kicks off on Saturday. The ladies and gentlemen are gearing up to compete, along with the performance classes and the under-15s who are vying for a coveted spot in the finals on Sunday. But it’s not just the matches that make Saturday special, as the evening will see a grand table tennis summer party taking place at the outdoor area of the Erfurt Trade Fair.
With Dang Qiu and Sabine Winter out of the picture, the question remains: who will be crowned the German champions of 2024? One thing is certain: there will be no title defense this year as Qiu is currently competing at the WTT Star Contender in Ljubljana, while Sabine Winter had to withdraw from the finals due to injury. The journey to fill this void begins today in Hall 1 at the Erfurt Trade Fair grounds, with the group stages for both the ladies and gentlemen kicking off in the morning.
The group stages for the ladies and gentlemen will conclude by 4 p.m., followed by the ladies‘ round of 16. Shortly after at 4:45 p.m., the men’s knockout round will begin. After a short break, the quarterfinals will resume at 7 p.m. Throughout the day, spectators in the arena can also look forward to the mixed and doubles competitions.
Meanwhile, in Hall 2, the group games for the performance classes and under-15s are underway in the morning. The under-15s will then move on to the mixed quarter and semifinals, as well as the doubles quarterfinals starting at 3 p.m. Those who make it to the finals will have the opportunity to move from Hall 2 to Hall 1 on Sunday and compete on the big stage. The performance classes will also have their doubles round of 16 and quarterfinals starting at 3 p.m. Players are eagerly anticipating these matches, as they are not accustomed to such professional conditions in their usual games.
One of the highlights of the evening will undoubtedly be the grand table tennis summer party at the outdoor area, featuring DJ Oonops, also known as Bundesliga player Patrick Decker, who will be providing the entertainment. Throughout the day, there will be plenty of activities to enjoy, including a family tournament and VR table tennis in the foyer for experimentation. Visitors to the largest table tennis festival in Germany can expect a colorful array of activities centered around the fastest racket sport in the world as they kick off the weekend. For those still undecided, it’s time to act fast as tickets for both days are still available on www.tt-finals.de.
In addition to the exciting tournament action, the German Table Tennis Finals offer a diverse range of experiences for players and spectators alike. With the event set to become an annual gathering of the table tennis family, the championships in Erfurt this year are bigger than ever before, bringing together the best players at all levels in one location. Amateurs will have the chance to compete alongside national team members in both the youth and adult categories.
The event marks a significant milestone in the table tennis community, with a wide range of interactive programs and workshops available for all attendees. The festivities extend to the city of Erfurt itself, which hosts the annual Krämerbrückenfest during the tournament week. As the largest old town festival in the sports capital, the festival offers a vibrant program of art, culture, entertainment, and culinary delights. Visitors to the TT Finals can combine both events for a truly unforgettable experience.
While tickets for the TT Finals are in high demand, there are still some available for purchase. The tournament will take place in two exhibition halls, starting on Thursday, June 13th, with the youth 19 category and concluding on Sunday, June 16th, with the final matches for under-15 boys, performance classes, and the top players in the ladies‘ and men’s divisions. For more information on the tournament, the schedule, and ticket sales, visit www.tt-finals.de.