Relief after the disappearance of the Moselle Open: a new international tennis tournament will be held in Metz from November. The Metz Grand Est Open, that’s its name, was revealed further on Thursday June 11, 2026. But will it hold up over time?
2026 will not be a blank year for Metz tennis fans. The Metz Grand Est Open – an ATP Challenger 125 – takes the place of the late Moselle Open – which was an ATP 250. Its first edition will be held from November 16 to 22, but is this event likely to last over time? ?
Gilles Moretton, president of the French Tennis Federation, reassures: “Regarding the “Challenger” tournaments, they belong to the ATP with the agreement of the federation. […] Là , we have a great chance of perpetuating and keeping this tournament in Metz. »
The ambition of Julien Benneteau, director of the Metz Grand Est Open
It is a major challenge for Julien Benneteau, now director of the new international tennis tournament in Metz. Thursday June 11, 2026, in front of an audience of partners, the one who argued ten finals on the ATP circuit confides: “It’s a new challenge In my opinion, with a lot of ambition. »
The ambition to give a successor to the Moselle Open, which he knew well: “I did not hesitate for a single second because I had great times in Metz in Arenas, as a player. It was sad to see that there were no more tennis events in Metz. »
SO what level can we expect ? Julien Benneteau hopes to attract ranked players between the 80ème and the 150ème worldly pleasures. He analyzes: “Players between 90 and 110-120 who want to earn their place definitively in the final draw of the Australian Open will certainly have an interest in coming.”
The Region, the City, but not the Department
In its name, the Metz Grand Est Open highlights the City and the Region. These two institutions support the event, unlike the Department. Gilles Moretton regrets: “I took the steps as president of a federation. I took the most courteous steps possible. I didn’t get a response.”
Patrick Weiten, the president of the Department,annoyed by the end of the Moselle Openhad chosen ignorance in the face of the announcement of this new tournament.
