Dominic Stricker, Benoît Paire and Lucas Pouille to play in Dialectic Zug Open

The field of participants for the Dialectic Zug Open has now been finalised, and some well-known names will be guests at the Challenger tournament in the Göbli from 21 to 28 July. The top seed is Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP 97). Children and youngsters can obtain a free ticket.

Dominic Stricker (world number 149) experienced an autumn in the fast lane of tennis last year. But after exiting the US Open in the round of 16 and reaching the finals of the Next Gen ATP, a back injury brought an abrupt halt to the Bernese 21-year-old's rise to the top.

Following his recent elimination in the first round at Wimbledon, this year's Zug Open will serve as a test for Dominic Stricker. In a press release from the tournament organisers, the winner of the 2022 event is quoted as follows: "The most important thing for me at the moment is to find my level, get into the match rhythm and simply enjoy being back on the tour."

From 21 to 28 July, victory in the category 125 Challenger tournament will be at stake on the Göbli tennis location in Zug, where Dominic Stricker will be joined by other well-known names.

Lucas Pouille, for example, the former world number 10, who has won five ATP tournaments to date, and who caused a sensation in 2016 when he defeated Rafael Nadal in five sets in the round of 16 in New York. Pouille's compatriot Benoît Paire also has an impressive palmarès, with three ATP and eight Challenger titles, and he also knows how to entertain the crowd. Matteo Martineau, Quentin Halys and Maxime Janvier complete the quintet of French participants in Zug.

The main contenders for the title at the Tennis Club Zug are the top-seeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (world number 97), the Italian Matteo Gigante (135) and the two Argentinians Juan Manuel Cerundolo (139) and Roman Andres Burruchaga (142).

Dominic Stricker from Bern won the tournament in Zug 2022         Photo: Maria Schmid
Benoît Paire knows how to entertain the audience             Photo: Corinne Dubreil/zvg
Botic van De Zandschulp is the tournament favourite        Photo: Peter Staples/ATP Tour/zvg

Six players will also reach the main draw via the qualifying round, and the tournament organisation also has three Main Draw wildcards at its disposal. Two of these have been awarded to young Swiss players, Jérôme Kym and Remy Bertola. Wildcards for the qualifiers have been given to Henry Bernet, Dylan Dietrich, Mika Brunold and Jeffrey von der Schulenburg.

Varied supporting programme
The Zug Centre Court will be expanded for this year's 2024 tournament: A south stand behind the baseline will provide a new perspective on the tennis action "and will create a bigger stadium feeling", write the organisers. The total capacity will be increased to just under 1,000 spectators.

In addition, night session matches are now scheduled from Monday, 22 July to Friday, 26 July, with matches starting at 8 pm. Co-tournament director Gaston Della Casa is delighted: "The tableau reflects the philosophy of our tournament: established top players meet the stars of tomorrow. With the wildcards for the main draw and the qualifiers, we are also giving young Swiss talents the chance to gain their first experience at ATP Challenger level," he is quoted as saying.

The next generation will also be in the spotlight at the start of the tournament. Dominic Stricker will be taking part in a training session with sports-keen children from the region on Sunday, 21 July. In addition, children and young people up to the age of 18 will receive a free ticket from Monday, 22 July to Thursday, 25 July on presentation of an ID at the box office before 4 pm. According to the organisers, the offer is valid as long as stocks last.

There will also be two well-known guests at the tournament: EVZ (Zug Ice Hockey club) captain Jan Kovar on Monday evening, 22 July, and Severin Lüthi, Davis Cup captain and former coach of Roger Federer onTuesday, 23 July.