Defending champion Holger Rune commits to 2023 BMW Open by American Express.

+++ Rune will play at the BMW Open by American Express in April 2023 +++ He made his breakthrough in Munich this year +++ Victory at the Paris Masters propels Rune into the top ten in the world rankings +++

Munich. Holger Rune will probably never forget the 2022 BMW Open by American Express. Given a wild card to even play in Munich, the Dane stormed through the clay tournament, during which he also celebrated his 19th birthday. That was not to be his only reason to celebrate: Rune defeated top-seed Alexander Zverev (GER) in the quarter-final and went on to take his first ATP title at MTTC Iphitos and pick up the fully-electric winner’s car – the BMW i4 M50 in Frozen Portimao Blue metallic (combined power consumption: 22.5 – 18.0 kWh/100 km, acc. WLTP; combined CO2 emissions: 0 g/km).

This was the initial spark, which triggered a rapid rise in the sport, culminating in the highlight of his career so far at last week’s Paris Masters. Rune beat no fewer than five top-ten players, including world number one Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) and 21-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic (SRB), on the way to his first title at an ATP 1000 tournament. He was crowned the youngest winner in Paris since 1986, and climbed into the top ten in the world rankings. Shortly after his latest success, the Dane confirmed that he would be defending his title in Munich next year (15th to 23rd April 2023).

“Holger Rune thrilled tennis fans at this year’s BMW Open by American Express, when he showed his huge potential. Even in light of that, the fact that he has established himself so quickly as one of the very best in the world is very impressive,” says Stefan Teuchert, Head of BMW Group Germany. “We are delighted that he will be coming to Munich to defend his title next year. Rune’s development is yet more proof that the winning formula at the BMW Open by American Express – to present top players and the ‘stars of tomorrow’ – is a huge success and a promise that we are fulfilling.”

Rune, who has won 19 of his last 21 matches, will again have his sights set on winning the established tournament in Munich, when it is held for the 107^th time in 2023. “I am very much looking forward to returning to Munich. It is a special place for me: I won my first tile here, and obviously want to try to defend it next year,” said the man of the moment in the world of tennis.

Tickets for the 2023 BMW Open by American Express are already available for all days and categories at www.bmwopen.de