Bizarre scenes overshadowed the trophy presentation at the 2024 Stuttgart Open, during which the tournament sponsors admitted to making a massive blunder.
The championship match in the German city was contested by rising British star Jack Draper and two-time former champion Matteo Berrettini. On paper, this was an even matchup with little to choose between two monstrous servers who love playing on grass.
But given Berrettini's experience on the surface (he was already a winner at the event in the past and a former Wimbledon finalist), he entered the match as a slight favorite not just to the oddsmakers but also to the tournament sponsors, Boss.
What happened after the match was unusual because the organizers had prepared a hybrid e-bike to be presented to the winner. Berrettini, who endorses Boss merchandise, was expected to lift his third title in Stuttgart.
Despite taking the first set 6-3, Draper found his footing and leveled the match by winning a 57-minute second set in a tie-break. Berrettini lost his serve only once during the match, and it became critical because he was broken at 3-all in the decider.
The 22-year-old lefty consolidated that advantage to win the set and match 6-4. It was his first ATP title, which guaranteed him a new career-high ranking of World No. 31. Draper is also the new British No. 1 on the ATP Tour.
The winner's bike, which was awarded to Draper, was decorated in khaki colors. Hugo Boss CEO Daniel Grieder admitted it was meant to be given to Berrettini. However, he promised to atone for the mishap and would issue a second bike that is rightfully to be for the young Briton.
"This is the Novus bike. We have a collaboration with them. It’s the future. Its like what e-cars were. This is the future bike. This is fast as a big motorcycle but is as light as an e-bike. Unfortunately, this bike is for the winner. I covered it in the wrong colours, Matteo. It was actually for you! So, we have to do a second bike in the colours of Jack. You will both get a bike in your colours."
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