The indoor season gets fully under way next week, and the biggest event on the calendar is close to home. The Riverton Open, played on hard courts at the Riverside Arena, brings 32 men and 32 women to the capital from Monday, with finals scheduled for the following Sunday.
All eyes will be on Anders Kolbe. The world number six and top seed in the men’s draw has not played a competitive match in seven weeks after injuring his right wrist during a summer final. His team confirmed this week that he has been serving at full speed in practice.
I would not come back in front of a home crowd if I wasn’t ready. The wrist feels strong, and I have missed the noise.
Anders Kolbe, men’s top seed
Rautio back to defend her title
In the women’s draw, Mila Rautio returns as defending champion after beating Sanna Lindqvist-Haaga in three sets last year. Rautio has reached two finals since the summer, and her heavy first serve suits the quick indoor surface. Second seed Ines Varela, the best returner on tour this season by points won against serve, is her most likely rival.
Organizers have also handed wild cards to two young local players, 18-year-old Tarik Hollis and 19-year-old Clara Moen, who both came through the national academy in Elmbridge.
The week at a glance
- Monday and Tuesday: first-round matches, with Kolbe expected on center court on Tuesday evening
- Wednesday: second round and the opening doubles matches
- Thursday: quarterfinals in the women’s draw
- Friday: men’s quarterfinals
- Saturday: semifinals in both draws
- Sunday: women’s final at 2 p.m., men’s final at 5 p.m.
Elsewhere, the men’s tour also stops at an indoor event in a neighboring country, where Teo Marchetti leads the field, while several women’s players head to a smaller clay tournament as they chase ranking points before the season finals.
Tickets for the opening days in Riverton are still available, while the weekend sessions sold out last month. Every match on center court will be streamed live.
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