Team spirit, lots of laughter and new perspectives off the tennis court: At today’s Media Day of the Bitpanda Hamburg Open 2025, four top players hit the water. In Hamburg’s early summer weather, Andrey Rublev, Fèlix Auger-Aliassime, Sebastián Baez and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina swapped their tennis rackets for oars – and rowed on the Alster at the invitation of the HANSA e.V. rowing association.

After a short technical briefing from the experienced members of the club, the tennis pros climbed into two four-person boats – supported by two experienced rowers per boat. They paddled across the water with great laughter and loud cheering from the jetty – with a lot of ambition, but also a good dose of self-irony. The highlight was a small race between the two boats, which the helmsmen struggled to keep on course.

“I’m impressed by the sport – especially because you can hardly hurt yourself,” said Andrey Rublev with a laugh after his rowing premiere. Fèlix Auger-Aliassime was enthusiastic: “I integrate rowing into my fitness routine from time to time, but so far only on the ergometer – today was something completely different.” Davidovich Fokina was less convinced: “My poor back – I’d rather stick to tennis.” And Sebastián Baez added: “It was great fun, but you soon realize how strenuous it is for the upper body.”

After the sports session, all four players made time for the media representatives present, answered questions about the current tournament and talked about their expectations and state of fitness so close to the French Open. Despite the busy match schedule, the atmosphere was relaxed – and the experience was a welcome contrast to the daily match routine.

After just over an hour, the special excursion on the Alster was over – but the experience will certainly be remembered by all those involved for a long time to come.

On Monday, the top players will also take part in the tournament. The number one seed Alexander Zverev will play his first round match, as will Andrey Rublev. Zverev will face a qualifier in his home match, Rublev will play against Damir Dzumhur from Bosnia. Particularly interesting from a German perspective: the match between Jan-Lennard Struff and DTB talent Justin Engel.