Goodbye to the Moselle Open

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A few days ago, the ATP 2026 calendar was revealed with some changes affecting various tournaments. However, none as significant as the disappearance of the ATP 250 Metz, also known as the Moselle Open. An event that has been with us for the past two decades and will now lose its place in the schedule, perhaps to be regained later. At this point, it is most likely to be gone forever, as, according to Eurosport France, the reasons for this decision have come exclusively from the offices.

"It's a tough blow for French players, losing the opportunity to play and shine at home," pointed out tournament officials. "The loss of an event like the Moselle Open is solely the responsibility of the legal proceedings initiated by the four minority shareholders representing 14% of the shares. The unjustified questioning by the latter of the ownership of certain company shares through legal means has led ATP Tour to take a position," explained tournament management in a statement released at the beginning of the week.

Born in 2003 and extended until 2025 – only missed in 2020 due to the pandemic – Metz tournament will bid farewell at the end of this season, specifically from November 2 to 8, serving as the final lap to a calendar that by that time is already thinking about the ATP Finals and the Davis Cup. It will be 21 editions enjoyed under the French roof, one of those classic stops that we never thought we would see depart so suddenly.

"ATP concluded that the ongoing and prolonged dispute over the ownership of the Moselle Open and its members hindered strategic planning and decision-making, which was not in the best interest of the tournament or the circuit. Therefore, after a thorough examination of the situation, the ATP Tour Board of Directors has decided to end the affiliation of this event on the circuit," explained the governing body of world tennis.

ILLUSTRIOUS CHAMPIONS

If this adventure in Metz has served any purpose, it was undoubtedly to boost French tennis in this century. Out of the 20 editions held so far, in 16 of them, a French player was in the final, and in 13 of them, emerged as the champion. Players like Arnaud Clement (2003), Gael Monfils (2009), Gilles Simon (2010, 2013, 2018), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (2011, 2012, 2015, 2019), Lucas Pouille (2016), or Ugo Humbert (2023) left their mark on the honor roll. As for the Spaniards, only Tommy Robredo knows what it's like to walk out of there with the champion's cup, which he won in 2007 after a stunning comeback over Andy Murray (0-6, 6-2, 6-3). Pablo Carreño came close in 2021 but fell in the final round to Hubert Hurkacz.

Certainly, few memories are more valuable for the Moselle Open than what happened in its fourth edition, that of 2006, where a 19-year-old Serbian named Novak Djokovic captured the second individual title of his career, just three months after opening his trophy cabinet in Amersfoort. The Serbian, then a promise of world tennis, had to come from behind to beat Jurgen Melzer (4-6, 6-3, 6-2) to become – unknowingly – the only World No. 1 in history to leave his mark in Metz.

We shall see what happens next November, where surely the organization will seek to complete a cinematic draw to bid farewell in grand style. And for the more pessimistic, think of the Estoril Open, which also made way this season only to return in the following. Will the Moselle Open return to the ATP calendar someday? For now, France will be left only with four walls in 2026: a Grand Slam (Roland Garros), a Masters 1000 (Rolex Paris Masters), and two ATP 250 events (Montpellier and Marseille). They have no reason to complain either.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Adiós al Moselle Open