English Open (Pro Tour)

[The Windmill]

Does the Chairman know when will tickets be available for this event ?
I have had my hotel booked for months now but no sign of any tickets....all the ETTA web site says is soon.

[Dave Robson]

Ive mailed Alex .......... i believe he is away at present but will be on site as soon as he returns. The information i usually recieve as soon as its out Windy but i will post the link on site as soon as this becomes available. I am actually hoping for two tickets to offer in a competition on the site when this happens.

[The Windmill]

Ive mailed Alex .......... i believe he is away at present but will be on site as soon as he returns. The information i usually recieve as soon as its out Windy but i will post the link on site as soon as this becomes available. I am actually hoping for two tickets to offer in a competition on the site when this happens.

Excellent....saves me checking the ETTA site each day.....looking forward to it.....I am sure the quality of the entry will be top drawer

[Michael Hahn]

it's a shame it isn't a truly open event really

[Dave Robson]

I just had a mail from Alex stating the information has been passed to the relevant department and i will have the nessecary information soon.

[Dave Robson]

Just to update everyone to the English Open :

Hi Dave
The official launch of the 65th English Open will be on Thursday 23rd July in Sheffield around lunchtime. ticket prices and packages etc will be announced then and will ber available via Shefield box office only. There will be a link from the ETTa site to Sheffield. Note it is likely there will be a charge for ticket purchase as is normal for cc transactions. This will be levied by Sheffield not the ETTA.
No tickets can be purchased through Hastings.
The venue capacity is 1500 for each day from Wed -Sunday finals.
The tickets prices and all details will be available from 23rd.
Hope this helps.
Please get in touch if you need any further information.

Regards
Mike Holt
VC MARKETING ETTA

I will add the links as and when we obtain to the relevant ares / tickets etc

[Alex]

Dave.
The launch took place in Sheffield yesterday with media attending from both the Press and TV.
Table Tennis demonstrations took place and Des Douglas and Alan Cooke attempted to break the World Record for “hits” during a minute.
A table was available in the Winter Garden with a robot for people to have a “taster” which was very popular with young and old.
The English Open is being supported by UK Sport, Yorkshire South Tourism, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward, ITTF and trade sponsors Joola/Bribar and Butterfly.
Details of the tickets for sale are on the ETTA website under the English Open event area.
During the launch an Agreement was signed for the British Table Tennis programme to continue at the EIS Sheffield for a further two years with support from Sheffield International Venues and the New England Clothing sponsor Bribar/Joola was announced.
Hope members will book tickets as soon as possible.
Regards
Alex

[Dave Robson]

Thanks for that Alex .........

i have added the link to the booking ticket line in the sidebar widget and also this it ......... HERE (http://www.sheffieldarena.co.uk/Forthcoming%20Events/English%20Institute%20of%20Sport%20/65th%20English%20Open%20International%20Table%20Te nnis%20Championship)

[The Windmill]

I booked my tickets this afternoon.....I had to ring them as it was not possible to book the weekend tickets online.....only sperate days showing and not the weekend tickets......Thanks Alex for letting us know :-))

[Michael Hahn]

Does anyone know what the new england clothes are? I think one of the shirts may be the red Joola "SANTA" shirt (http://www.joola.de/en/produkte/textil/shirts/santa.htm) but don't have a clue about the rest.

[Dave Robson]

hmmmmmmm not sure Michael ..... will find out ..

The follow up on the Open is:

British squad Performance Programme to stay up to 2012 Olympics
Sheffield is to host an array of world-class table tennis stars and home grown talent over the next two years that will put the city at the forefront of a sport set to attract significant global attention ahead of the 2012 Olympics.

The British Table Tennis Federation (BTTF) has extended its UK Sport-backed world-class Performance Programme for elite players and coaches at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield (EISS) for a further two years – taking the British medal prospects up to the London Games.
The new commitment from the BTTF coincides with news that the 65th English Open Table Tennis Championships – the ‘Wimbledon’ of the sport – will attract a glittering field of top players, including world and Olympic champions when the event is held at the EISS from 28 October-1 November.
Adam Sharara, President of the International Table Tennis Federations (ITTF), said: “The ITTF is absolutely delighted that England is back in the ITTF Pro Tour with the English Open and sees it as a great opportunity to promote our sport in England in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games.”

To mark the date that tickets go on sale for the English Open – an event supported through UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme – England’s current No.1 Paul Drinkhall will play an exhibition match today in Sheffield city centre against former No.1 and Open champion Desmond Douglas. Rotherham-based Paul, 19, recently won the U21 title at the China Open and is regarded as a strong prospect for an Olympic medal. Desmond, arguably England’s best ever player in the modern era, is the only Englishman to have won the Open title – winning his first 25 years ago.
The occasion at the Mercure St. Paul’s Hotel & Spa and the Winter Garden will also serve as the launch of a new England squad clothing range from leading table tennis brand Joola.

“Sheffield provides our elite squad of players and coaches with some of the best facilities we could ask for and we are hopeful that the partnership will result in something special for table tennis in this country in 2012,” said Richard Yule, Chief Executive of the ETTA.
Commenting on the sport’s commitment to the city, Cllr Roger Davison, Cabinet Adviser for Culture, Sport and Tourism from Sheffield City Council, said: “We’re delighted that English table tennis has decided to base itself here for another two years and look forward to seeing many of the world’s greatest players compete in Sheffield in the months ahead. Sheffield people are great sports fans, and I know they will welcome these players to our city.”
Chris Welsh, Chairman of Yorkshire South Tourism, added: “This further commitment to the sport is not just on behalf of Sheffield but the region of South Yorkshire. It will lead to benefits in terms of greater numbers of sports tourism visitors and incremental spend in both the city and the region.”
The launch event is organised in conjunction with the ETTA by Yorkshire South Tourism, Sheffield City Council and Sheffield International Venues, who manage the EISS facility. The English Open is backed by UK Sport and Yorkshire Forward, under the ‘Welcome to Yorkshire’ brand.

Tickets for the English Open Championships are available from Sheffield Arena and range between £5 and £20. They can be purchased via www.etta.co.uk/englishopen (http://www.etta.co.uk/englishopen) or though the Sheffield Arena Box Office on 01142 56 56 56.

[Wiggy63]

I wish you would all stop referring to this tournament as an 'open' its NOT, The ETTA have not brought the 'open' back, It is not one, if it were it would be open to all, as was the true English open, I think a look at the dictionary is needed here. In England we had, until quite a few years ago the tradition of the English open, a tournament open to all, that is why it was called the 'open'. Similarities can be called upon with other sports such as Golf etc, But please ETTA don't tell us that you have brought the 'open' back, you have not, you have replaced it with a restrictive PRO tournament, definately NOT the English open.

[Tinykin]

So who exactly can play in this tournament? How does a player qualify?

[Michael Hahn]

You can't qualify unfortunetley. You have to get picked by your national association i think.

Although the word "open" isn't used to the correct definition, it is simply meant to separate this from the English closed, where only english players are allowed to enter. For example, you wouldn't see any club standard players in the qualifiers for the French Open (Rolland garros).

[Mr Wilko]

should be called the restricted ENGLISH OPEN ?????

whats this all about ??

[Crispione]

I wish you would all stop referring to this tournament as an 'open' its NOT, The ETTA have not brought the 'open' back, It is not one, if it were it would be open to all, as was the true English open, I think a look at the dictionary is needed here. In England we had, until quite a few years ago the tradition of the English open, a tournament open to all, that is why it was called the 'open'. Similarities can be called upon with other sports such as Golf etc, But please ETTA don't tell us that you have brought the 'open' back, you have not, you have replaced it with a restrictive PRO tournament, definately NOT the English open.

Have to agree with Wiggy on this one. Definately not the English Open as we knew it.
It's just PR to call it "Open". It would be more honest to call it a Pro Invitation.:coin:

Players for Roland Garros that don't qualify by way of their World Ranking can still get into the tournament via the Qualifying Events and so it can be called an "Open" There are no qualifying events for this so called "Open".

For those to young to remember, it was a big deal to play in the qualifying/preliminary rounds of the "English Open" at the beginning of the week and a source of great pride if you managed to get through to the main draw as it was probably stronger than than the English Closed.

[Wiggy63]

Spot on Crispione.

[Dave Robson]

Restricted Open is pretty much the best description as mentioned previously.

[Wiggy63]

Its particularly annoying when on the ETTA website it is described as 'the 65th English open'. I, and I would have thought a few members of this forum have entered the English open in the past, I am not able to enter this one, so how can it be 'carrying on the tradition'. It is actually the 1st, not the 65th.

[Greenflash]

The first in what way Wiggy?

I agree with the comment it is a PR exercise an Open in the true sense it most deffinitely is not.

[Tinykin]

How many English players are taking part?

[Wiggy63]

The first in what way Wiggy?



The first that you or I cannot enter, so its not really the English open, they've hijacked the history.

[Dave Robson]

It should be re named the English Open - Invitation Tournament

[Nick]

Have to agree with Wiggy on this one. Definately not the English Open as we knew it.
It's just PR to call it "Open". It would be more honest to call it a Pro Invitation.:coin:

Players for Roland Garros that don't qualify by way of their World Ranking can still get into the tournament via the Qualifying Events and so it can be called an "Open" There are no qualifying events for this so called "Open".

For those to young to remember, it was a big deal to play in the qualifying/preliminary rounds of the "English Open" at the beginning of the week and a source of great pride if you managed to get through to the main draw as it was probably stronger than than the English Closed.

You're dead right. Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending my daughter's graduation from Sussex University. Where was it held? Answer: the Corn Exchange and Dome, Brighton, traditional home of the English Open throughout the 60s and 70s. Brought back some wonderful memories - Alser, Johansson, Bengtsson, Surbek, Stipancic, Giurguica, Scholer, Gomozkov, Berczik, Borzsei, Jonyer et al. When did they stop playing it there?

[Chopfloat]

Hey Nick,please pass on my good wishes to Laura.Well done indeed.
:star::star::star:

[Nick]

Hey Nick,please pass on my good wishes to Laura.Well done indeed.
:star::star::star:

Thanks Jim, I will.

See you at the Sunderland VETTS.

[Mr Wilko]

it should be re-named the "restricted English not so open" :redcard::redcard:

[Crispione]

You're dead right. Last Wednesday I had the pleasure of attending my daughter's graduation from Sussex University. Where was it held? Answer: the Corn Exchange and Dome, Brighton, traditional home of the English Open throughout the 60s and 70s. Brought back some wonderful memories - Alser, Johansson, Bengtsson, Surbek, Stipancic, Giurguica, Scholer, Gomozkov, Berczik, Borzsei, Jonyer et al. When did they stop playing it there?

My first experience of the English Open was at the Dome & Corn Exchange and wached with awe the final between the Russian (#1 seed?) Gomozkov and a fairly unknown Yugoslavian - Surbeck.

Great play with a great tactical battle between the classic game and deadly backhand of Gomozkov and the forehand loop (the only shot he had, the b/hand being almost non existant!) of the all action Surbeck from everywhere in the court.

Fanatastic! Oh, and Surbeck just ,managed to squeak it.

I knew would come back to watch time & again, and hoped that I would have the chance one day to play in it, which I did once in the singles and a few times in the Doubles, even getting through a couple of rounds
once!!:happy:

Another abiding memory was an early rounds encounter between the then World Champion Stellan Bengtsson and a French chopper Christian Martin (?) who wasn't highly ranked in the World, but it was an incredible match full of wonderful rallies ad Martin was very unlucky to lose. I had the chance to speak to Bengtsson a little while after and he admitted he hated playing choppers because there were so few good ones around he wasn't used to it.

The more things change, the more they stay the same!!!

[Wiggy63]

Another abiding memory was an early rounds encounter between the then World Champion Stellan Bengtsson and a French chopper Christian Martin (?) who wasn't highly ranked in the World,


Unusually, a left handed chopper, I think he got up to the mid 20's in world rankings, but always seemed to be on the peripherals of the French national team.