BOSS OPEN STUTTGART
The BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart are among the most renowned grass tournaments on the ATP Tour, offering tennis at the highest level. Against the elegant backdrop of TC Weissenhof, dynamic, emotional, and intimate moments unfold, which I, as a photographer, capture from unique perspectives. This event combines peak athletic performance with a modern, stylish ambiance. Precisely this atmosphere is reflected in my images.
What particularly interested me on this day was what no official camera shows. The brief encounters, the look of the volunteers, the concentrated pause of a ball boy, or the sunbeam breaking in the sweat on a linesman's forehead. All of this makes the tournament more than just a sporting competition – it becomes human.
The Stage: The Weissenhof between Nobility and Nostalgia
The Boss Open are among Europe's most traditional grass tournaments. The Weissenhof exudes a very special atmosphere, somewhere between British tennis etiquette and Swabian sportsmanship. The facility is stylish and well-maintained, yet down-to-earth. This ambivalence also characterizes my photographic subjects.
In the early morning hours, I wander around the grounds. The stands are still empty, and the grass is freshly cut. A volunteer re-hangs the sponsor banner, while an elderly gentleman carefully re-chalks the white lines. With my Leica on my hip, I look for precisely these quiet, almost meditative scenes.
An elderly couple, regulars for decades, sips from their thermos cups. "We always come for the final," they tell me. My photo of them: two people, framed by patina and tennis history.
Leica M240 and the Conscious Gaze
I am often asked: "Why do you photograph with a Leica M240 when you could work faster, more modern, and more conveniently?" The answer lies in the deceleration. The M240 forces me to see consciously, to focus, and to wait.
I usually photograph with a 35mm Summicron lens. No zoom, no autofocus. This creates closeness – real closeness. People react differently when no huge lens is pointed at them. The interaction feels more personal, almost analog.
Especially at an event like the Boss Open, where many are pointing telephoto lenses at the court, my approach is different. I am at eye level with the security guard in the shade, the DJ playing music between matches, and the technician re-laying cables.
The Audience: Style Meets Passion
By midday, the stands fill up. The sun is blazing, and the hats get bigger and bigger. Between the VIP lounges and the fan stands, there's a colorful mix.
I observe two teenagers taking selfies, while behind them, a retired gentleman stands with binoculars. A woman in a boho dress hands her daughter an ice cream. I photograph discreetly and always with respect. Because that's precisely the strength of the Leica: it allows you to be close without being intrusive.
Between points, there's applause, nodding, and smiling. And people talk to each other. The Boss Open is a social event that doesn't indulge in the arrogance of other major events. Perhaps that's precisely its appeal.
The Moment of Victory
As the final approaches its climax, I, of course, am also captivated. But I continue to focus on the periphery. Security stands behind the trophy. The tournament director nervously checks his phone. The ball kids wish each other luck, as if they were about to go on stage.
Then: match point! Cheers. Confetti. But I photograph the quiet moment afterward: the player sitting alone in his chair for minutes, absorbed in thought, with a towel over his face.
After the Applause
As the crowd slowly disperses, the atmosphere becomes almost sentimental. The team begins dismantling. Banners disappear, water bottles are collected, and lawn edges are inspected. I meet an employee who has worked at the Boss Open for 15 years. She says: "For us, Sunday evening is always the most beautiful moment, because then we know we've made it."
I photograph her in front of an empty center court. In the background, the fading logo on the grass is visible – a last look at a week full of work, sweat, and sun.
More Than Sports Photography
This final day once again showed me how important it is to go through the world with an open mind. For me, the Leica M240 is not just a tool, but also an attitude. The resulting images are not action shots. They are portraits of an atmosphere.
Another tip for photography enthusiasts: If you photograph with a Leica yourself or are thinking about it, ask yourself less about the technology and more about the "why". Because only when you look at people with genuine interest does a photo become more than just an image.