SWISS OPEN 2022

A Swiss Summer of Tennis

During a rather warm winter in July, I left Hive HQ in Cape Town for one of my comfort zones—Gstaad, Switzerland. Blue skies, green mountains, picture-perfect chocolate-box chalets, and, at this time of year, the Swiss Open. Set against one of the most spectacular backdrops of any ATP Tour tournament, the EFG Swiss Open is played on outdoor clay courts at the Roy Emerson Arena, right in the heart of this charming Alpine village.

I was thrilled to be on the ground for one of the semi-finals and the final at this year’s Swiss Open. Matteo Berrettini faced Dominic Thiem in the semi-final, striking the ball with power and precision to claim victory in straight sets—6-1, 6-4.

The following day’s final was played under scorching heat, making the atmosphere even more intense. Berrettini went head-to-head with Casper Ruud, the defending 2021 champion, as he aimed to reclaim the Swiss title he first won in 2018. He started strong, dominating with his big serve and taking the first set 6-4. His fans, including myself, were filled with hope. But Ruud wasn’t backing down. Shifting gears, he responded under massive pressure, found his forehand, and won five consecutive points to take control. Signs of trouble emerged for Berrettini as his serve began to waver, and suddenly, the pressure was reversed.

Ruud edged out the second set in a 7-4 tiebreak, bringing the match to a deciding set. In the final showdown, Ruud’s colossal hitting gave everything back to Berrettini—with added intensity. He dominated, closing out the match 6-2 in a high-quality final.

Disappointed Berrettini fans, myself included, know just how capable he is with his powerful serve and relentless game. There’s no doubt—he’ll be back next year for another shot at the title.

At the end of the day, what is life without tennis? I don’t know—I can’t imagine…

QueenB!……Abuzzing off🐝