Editorial

‘What a pleasure it is to be back for the Open Occitanie!”

The tournament recently changed its name, but my joy at sharing it with the players, partners and public remains intact! Over the years, this week of top-level tennis has continued to establish itself as a not-to-be-missed event on the international circuit. After a 2024 edition that broke all attendance records, with more than 60,000 spectators, we hope to reach a new milestone in 2025, by bringing together even more fans and some of the world’s best players at the Sud de France Arena in Montpellier.

As director since 2016, this will be the tenth edition that I have directed, and I always enjoy coming back to Montpellier every year. I’ve seen just how much this tournament is appreciated, by both the public and the players. With its frenzied atmosphere, spectacular matches, surprises and revelations, the Open Occitanie remains a true celebration of tennis.
We’ll be doing everything we can to ensure that the 2025 edition offers another exceptional line-up, and it’s clear that the tournament’s appeal to players on the circuit is growing all the time. In keeping with the sporting dimension we want to give to the event, we are delighted to welcome some of the circuit’s leading international players as well as the best French players in 2025.

The electric Andrey Rublev will be one of the week’s attractions. Stan Wawrinka, with his prestigious record on the ATP circuit, will also be one to watch. Former winners Lucas Pouille (winner in 2018), David Goffin (winner in 2021) and Alexander Bublik (winner in 2022 and 2024) will be serious contenders. Our Frenchmen Arthur Rinderknech, Adrian Mannarino and Quentin Halys are also determined to shine on home soil. We will also have the pleasure of welcoming back Arthur Cazaux, who is particularly attached to his home town.

As well as the players, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the volunteers and tennis clubs in the region who, thanks to their involvement, contribute to the success of the tournament every year. I would also like to thank all our partners, in particular the Occitanie / Pyrénées-Méditerranée region, a major and historic partner of the tournament, without whom nothing would be possible.

I would also like to pay tribute to the tremendous work carried out by the late Patrice Dominguez. Without his love of tennis, his ambition and his motivation, the tournament would never have seen the light of day. The Open Occitanie will continue to carry the aspirations of the man I had the honour of succeeding as tournament director.

Finally, a few words for my friend Richard Gasquet, a legend of French tennis. Richard has been an exceptional ambassador for this tournament, this region and French tennis throughout his career. Dear Open Occitanie fans, I invite you to join us in celebrating his final appearance and supporting him all the way.