Swedish Open - History

History

The Swedish Open was first held in 1948. Between 1970 and 1989 the mens event was part of the Grand Prix tennis circuit.

The first three tournaments were won by Eric Sturgess from South Africa. Other famous champions include Ilie Năstase (1971), Björn Borg (1974, 1978–1979) and Mats Wilander (1982–1983, 1985). The stadium in which the tournament is held underwent reconstruction in 2002 to accommodate the new hotel underneath the seaside bleachers. The stadium is a few hundred yards from the Båstad beach and is very close to Pepe's Bodega, the local restaurant and nightclub.

From 1948 to 1990, there was also a women's singles tournament. After the Nordea Nordic Light Open in Stockholm was sold, it was announced that the women's event would return to Båstad. Since 2009 the Collector Swedish Open Women in Båstad has been an International-level tournament.

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