Episode 42 : Game, Set, Business! Sports Career Success Stories with Tennis Visionary Herwig Straka

Join us on an inspiring adventure with Herwig Straka, the tennis visionary who soared from athletic beginnings to the pinnacle of sports event management. Dive into his remarkable journey and don’t miss your exclusive bonus at https://show.ronnyleber.com/gift – a special treat for those eager to chase their aspirations. Perfect for aspiring sports entrepreneurs, tennis enthusiasts, or anyone fascinated by stories of ambition and success, this episode is your front-row seat!

Time Codes:

• 00:00 Teaser, Intro & meet Herwig Straka
• 02:12 Life’s turns that brought Herwig to a global leading role in tennis
• 03:03 Sports as a family value and actively pursuing a career in swimming and diving
• 03:46 Learnings from the active sports career that Herwig took with him into the professional world
• 05:28 The value from doing an internship abroad at a bank in New York
• 07:09 From the pre-destined career in banking to going into sports business
• 08:54 Coming up with the idea of creating an ATP tennis tournament on the rooftop of a shopping center and the challenges that came with it
• 11:49 The main differences between working in the corporate field vs the sports world
• 13:17 Early struggles as a sports entrepreneur and how he overcame them
• 16:19 The driving force that got Herwig moving forward
• 19:06 Important character traits to work in sports events
• 21:49 Managing risk when taking over a tennis tournament that was far from profitable
• 25:12 How to turn around the success of an event on the example of the ATP tennis tournament Erste Bank Open in Vienna and making it one of the best tournaments on the tour
• 27:57 The value of bringing the right people together
• 29:40 A milestone in the tournament in Vienna by signing 2 top-stars last minute
• 33:02 The future of a modern tennis tournament
• 34:45 What is necessary to make an athlete successful as a manager
• 38:22 Brand value and personality on the example of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic
• 41:13 Where the sports industry is moving in the next 5 years
• 45:02 The organizing principles of Herwig when stepping into different roles
• 46:47 Herwig’s advice for someone starting out on their journey
• 48:03 Where to find Herwig and the Erste Bank Open
• 48:57 Herwig’s final thoughts!

Welcome to another thrilling episode of the Ronny Leber Show! This week, we’re diving into the remarkable world of sports career success stories, featuring none other than the tennis mastermind, Herwig Straka.

Herwig’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in Graz, Austria, he first made waves as a member of the Austrian Swimming National Team and as a national Diving Champion. But his passion for sports didn’t stop there.

In this episode, we unravel how Herwig transitioned from an athlete to a leading figure in the global tennis scene. He shares his incredible story of founding a company that kicked off with an extraordinary ATP-tennis tournament – right on the rooftop of a shopping center!

We delve into the nitty-gritty of sports event management, exploring the challenges and triumphs of organizing some of Europe’s most prestigious tennis tournaments, including the Erste Bank Open Vienna, the BOSS Open in Stuttgart, and the Bett1 Open in Berlin.

Herwig also opens up about his unique experiences, from internships in New York to pivotal decisions that led him from a potential banking career into the pulsating heart of sports business.

Learn about the crucial differences between corporate and sports worlds, and how Herwig navigated early struggles to emerge as a successful sports entrepreneur. His story is a masterclass in perseverance, innovation, and leadership in the sports industry.

Discover how bringing the right people together can transform the success of an event, and get exclusive insights into the future of modern tennis tournaments. Herwig also shares invaluable advice for anyone starting their career journey, especially in the dynamic world of sports.

As a member of the Board of Directors for the ATP, Herwig’s perspective is invaluable for anyone interested in sports, business, or simply looking for motivation to excel in their field.

Connect & Explore More:

For deeper insights, captivating stories, and a dose of inspiration, connect with Herwig Straka:

Website: https://www.emotiongroup.com/en/