The Louvain-le-Neuve tournament, the BW Open, has just been canceled. It was supposed to start on January 20, but the organizers decided to throw in the towel for this year.
Belgian Tennis fans will not have the opportunity to enjoy the BW Open. The Challenger tournament in Louvain-la-Neuve, which was initially scheduled to take place from January 20 to 26, has been canceled. Management has already warned all of its partners, citing a loss of subsidies and broken promises to justify this decision.
The organizing committee sent a request to the ATP to postpone the organization of the tournament from 2025 to 2026, with the support of Tennis Padel Wallonie-Bruxelles. This request was made due to the financial uncertainty caused by “the reduction in revenue, the drop in public subsidies and the fact that sponsors are slow to commit”.
According to Christophe Dister, the election year brought its share of disruptions and “new governments with different strategies. The postponement is a wise decision, as we cannot afford not to close the budget at the end of the tournament.” The additional time should make it possible to change the economic model.
At the beginning of December, the organization of the BW Open announced the withdrawal of Vincent Stavaux from its structure. The former manager of Justine Henin, the linchpin of the Walloon tournament, will be tried on April 14 by the Mons criminal court for indecency against minors.
While doubt hovers over the holding of the European Open, the ATP 250 in Antwerp, in 2025, Belgium could no longer have any ATP tournament organized on its territory next year. However, rumors are circulating about the European Open moving to Brussels, or to another city outside Belgian territory.
Swiss Leandro Riedi won the 2024 edition of the Louvain-la-Neuve Challenger last January. In 2023, it was David Goffin who triumphed during the inaugural edition.
BW Open Louvain-la-Neuve
