What Is 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament was an ATP World Tour 500 event held from February 8 to 14, 2010, at Rotterdam's Ahoy Arena, featuring a 32-player singles draw and won by Robin Söderling, who defeated Mikhail Youzhny in the final.

Key Facts

Tournament dates: February 8–14, 2010
Location: Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands
Surface: Indoor hard court
Singles champion: Robin Söderling
Final score: Söderling d. Youzhny 6–1, 7–6(7–5)

Overview

The 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament was a prominent stop on the ATP Tour calendar, classified as an ATP World Tour 500 event. Held annually in Rotterdam, the tournament attracts top-tier players preparing for the European indoor and clay-court seasons.

This edition marked the 38th running of the event, continuing its legacy as one of the most prestigious indoor tournaments in Europe. Played at the modern Ahoy Arena, it featured a full field of international competitors and extensive global broadcast coverage.

Event classification: The tournament was an ATP 500-level event, offering 500 ranking points to the singles champion, a key draw for top-20 players.
Player field: The 32-player singles draw included top seeds such as Andy Murray, Robin Söderling, and Mikhail Youzhny, reflecting its elite status.
Dates and duration: The event ran from February 8 to 14, 2010, spanning seven days of intense competition across singles and doubles brackets.
Venue: Matches were held at the Rotterdam Ahoy Arena, a multipurpose indoor venue with a capacity of approximately 14,000 spectators.
Surface type: The tournament was played on indoor hard courts, a surface known for fast-paced rallies and favoring aggressive baseline play.

How It Works

The ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament follows a standard ATP 500 format, with structured progression from early rounds to the final championship match. Each stage is designed to test player endurance, strategy, and adaptability under indoor conditions.

Single-elimination format: All matches are played in a knockout style; a loss at any stage eliminates a player from the tournament, increasing pressure in early rounds.
Best-of-three sets: All matches, including the final, are played as best-of-three sets, standard for ATP 500 events outside Grand Slams.
Seeding system: The top eight players are seeded based on ATP rankings, ensuring higher-ranked players avoid each other until later stages.
Qualifying rounds: Four wildcard entries and eight qualifiers join the main draw, with preliminary matches held days before the official start date.
Doubles competition: A 16-team doubles draw runs parallel to singles, with the same indoor hard court conditions affecting team dynamics.
Prize money: The 2010 event offered a total purse of $1,025,000, with the singles champion earning $142,000 and 500 ATP points.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 ABN AMRO tournament compares to other ATP 500 events of the same year:

Tournament	Location	Surface	Prize Money	Champion
ABN AMRO 2010	Rotterdam, NED	Indoor Hard	$1,025,000	Robin Söderling
Rio Open	Rio de Janeiro, BRA	Outdoor Clay	$1,000,000	No event in 2010
Barcelona Open	Barcelona, ESP	Outdoor Clay	$1,800,000	Rafael Nadal
Washington Open	Washington, USA	Outdoor Hard	$1,000,000	Mardy Fish
Beijing Open	Beijing, CHN	Outdoor Hard	$1,750,000	Andy Roddick

The Rotterdam event stood out for its indoor format and early-season timing, offering players a rare chance to compete on fast hard courts in Europe. While its prize purse was modest compared to Beijing or Barcelona, its ATP 500 status and history made it a key fixture in the calendar.

Why It Matters

The 2010 ABN AMRO tournament had significant implications for player rankings, season momentum, and the broader ATP Tour structure. Its results influenced early-season form and seeding for upcoming Grand Slams.

Boosted Söderling’s ranking: Winning in Rotterdam elevated Robin Söderling to world No. 5, cementing his status as a top clay-court threat.
Preparation for majors: The tournament served as a key warm-up for the French Open, with players refining their indoor-to-outdoor transition strategies.
Wild card opportunities: Dutch players like Thiemo de Bakker received entry, supporting national talent development and local fan engagement.
Television exposure: Broadcast in over 100 countries, the event increased visibility for sponsors such as ABN AMRO and the city of Rotterdam.
Economic impact: The tournament generated an estimated €15 million in local economic activity, from tourism to hospitality sectors.
Tournament legacy: The 2010 edition reinforced Rotterdam’s reputation as a premier ATP 500 host, leading to continued sponsorship and infrastructure investment.

Overall, the 2010 ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament was a pivotal event in the ATP calendar, combining competitive excellence with cultural and economic significance for its host city and the global tennis community.