What is ABN AMRO, the Main Sponsor of the Rotterdam Open?
ROTTERDAM – As the lights dim and the spotlight hits the hard courts of Rotterdam Ahoy this February, the atmosphere is electric. It is the 53rd edition of the ABN AMRO Open, an ATP 500 event that has become a crown jewel of the indoor tennis season. But beyond the booming serves of stars like Alex de Minaur and Felix Auger-Aliassime lies a story of loyalty rarely seen in the fast-paced world of professional sports.
Since 1974, ABN AMRO has stood as the title sponsor of this tournament. Having celebrated a historic 50-year milestone in 2023, the partnership remains the longest-running sponsorship on the ATP Tour. This is not merely a branding exercise; it is a foundational pillar of Dutch sporting culture.
From Ball Kid to Director: The Richard Krajicek Legacy
The tournament’s identity is inextricably linked to Richard Krajicek. His journey serves as the ultimate inspiration for the young “ball boys and girls” lining the courts today. Krajicek first walked onto the Rotterdam courts in the 1980s as a ball kid, dreaming of the professional stage.
He didn’t just reach that stage; he conquered it. Krajicek reached the world top ten, famously winning Wimbledon in 1996, and secured two titles on home soil in Rotterdam (1995 and 1997). Since 2004, he has served as the Tournament Director, leveraging his global network to ensure the ABN AMRO Open remains a premier destination for the world’s elite players.
Breaking Ground in Wheelchair Tennis
While the ATP stars draw massive crowds, ABN AMRO’s commitment to inclusivity is perhaps most visible in the Wheelchair Tennis Tournament. Now in its 15th year for men, the event recently expanded to include a women’s draw, ensuring the world’s twelve best male and eight best female wheelchair players receive an equal platform.
Under the direction of Paralympic legend Esther Vergeer, the wheelchair tournament is fully integrated into the main event—a rarity in the tennis world. As Vergeer notes, sponsorship acts as an “accelerator,” bringing the dreams of athletes with disabilities into the public eye with the same prestige as the able-bodied tour.
Sponsoring as a Catalyst for Change
For ABN AMRO, sponsoring is about more than just a logo on a backdrop; it is about accelerating equal opportunities. Their “Sponsoring as an Accelerator” philosophy extends across three main pillars:
- Sports: Beyond tennis, they support field hockey through the “Club of Tomorrow,” aiming to make clubs more sustainable and inclusive.
- Arts & Culture: They help museums like the Hermitage and events like Dutch Design Week become more accessible and financially independent.
- Social Impact: Through the Krajicek Foundation, the bank encourages underprivileged children to embrace exercise, while their partnership with Fonds Gehandicaptensport ensures sports are available to everyone, regardless of physical limitations.
“We believe the world is at its best when people get the chance to control their own life, development, and growth,” a bank spokesperson stated. This focus on talent development is the golden thread running through their involvement with the youth of Ajax, the Young Impact organization, and the ABN AMRO World Winners Fund.
More Than a Bank
While the tournament showcases the bank’s heart, ABN AMRO remains a pillar of Dutch financial stability. In their latest 2026 reports, the bank continues to emphasize its role in helping clients navigate their financial futures—from sustainable mortgages to strategic investments.
As the 2026 edition of the ABN AMRO Open unfolds in Rotterdam, it stands as a testament to what can be achieved when a financial institution views a sporting event not as a one-week marketing play, but as a half-century commitment to community, talent, and progress.