**2003 If Stockholm Open**
The 2003 If Stockholm Open was a professional men’s tennis tournament played on indoor hard courts. It was part of the International Series of the 2003 ATP Tour and took place at the Kungliga tennishallen in Stockholm, Sweden. The tournament featured top-ranked players competing for ranking points and prize money in both singles and doubles events.
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## Overview
The 2003 If Stockholm Open marked the 35th edition of the prestigious indoor tennis tournament held annually in Stockholm. Known for attracting a strong field of competitors, the event was staged from October 20 to October 26, 2003. The tournament was played on indoor hard courts, a surface that typically favors players with strong serves and aggressive baseline play.
As part of the ATP International Series, the Stockholm Open offered valuable ranking points contributing to players’ year-end standings. The event was sponsored by If, a Nordic insurance company, which had been the title sponsor for several years, enhancing the tournament’s profile within the ATP Tour calendar.
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## Venue
The tournament was hosted at the Kungliga tennishallen (Royal Tennis Hall), a historic indoor arena located in Stockholm, Sweden. The venue has been synonymous with the Stockholm Open since its inception in 1969 and is renowned for its intimate atmosphere and excellent playing conditions. The indoor hard courts at Kungliga tennishallen provide a consistent bounce and medium-fast pace, favoring players with strong technical skills and tactical versatility.
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## Tournament Format
The 2003 Stockholm Open featured both singles and doubles competitions. The singles draw consisted of 32 players, including seeded players, qualifiers, and wildcards. The doubles draw featured 16 teams competing in a knockout format. Matches were played in a best-of-three sets format, with tiebreaks used to decide sets tied at 6–6.
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## Participants
### Singles
The singles field included a mix of established stars and rising talents. Top-seeded players were invited based on their ATP rankings, with several notable competitors participating:
– Paradorn Srichaphan (Thailand)
– Mikhail Youzhny (Russia)
– Jarkko Nieminen (Finland)
– Thomas Johansson (Sweden)
– Mario Ančić (Croatia)
The tournament also featured wildcards granted to promising local players and qualifiers who advanced through preliminary rounds.
### Doubles
The doubles competition attracted specialist teams as well as singles players pairing up for the event. Notable doubles teams included:
– Jonas Björkman / Todd Woodbridge
– Wayne Arthurs / Paul Hanley
– Simon Aspelin / Massimo Bertolini
The doubles draw was competitive, with several teams vying for the title and valuable ATP doubles ranking points.
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## Results
### Singles
The singles tournament culminated in a final match between Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand and Rainer Schüttler of Germany. Paradorn Srichaphan, known for his powerful forehand and aggressive baseline play, secured the championship by defeating Schüttler in straight sets.
**Final Score:** Paradorn Srichaphan defeated Rainer Schüttler 6–7(2–7), 6–0, 6–3
This victory marked a significant achievement in Srichaphan’s career, contributing to his rise in the ATP rankings and establishing him as a formidable competitor on indoor hard courts.
### Doubles
In the doubles final, the team of Jonas Björkman and Todd Woodbridge emerged victorious. The experienced pair, both accomplished doubles specialists, defeated Wayne Arthurs and Paul Hanley in a closely contested match.
**Final Score:** Jonas Björkman / Todd Woodbridge defeated Wayne Arthurs / Paul Hanley 6–3, 6–4
The win added to Björkman and Woodbridge’s impressive doubles records and reinforced their status as one of the top teams on the ATP Tour.
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## Significance
The 2003 If Stockholm Open was notable for several reasons. Paradorn Srichaphan’s singles title was a highlight of his career, showcasing his ability to compete successfully against higher-ranked opponents on indoor surfaces. The tournament also continued to demonstrate the strength of Scandinavian tennis, with local players receiving wildcards and competing in front of enthusiastic home crowds.
The doubles victory by Björkman and Woodbridge further cemented their legacy as one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history. Their performance in Stockholm contributed to their momentum during the 2003 season.
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## Legacy
The Stockholm Open remains one of the longest-running and most respected indoor tennis tournaments on the ATP Tour. The 2003 edition upheld the tournament’s tradition of high-quality competition and provided memorable moments for players and fans alike. The event’s continued success has helped maintain Stockholm’s reputation as a key stop on the professional tennis circuit.
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## Tournament Statistics
– **Surface:** Indoor hard court
– **Location:** Kungliga tennishallen, Stockholm, Sweden
– **Dates:** October 20–26, 2003
– **ATP Category:** International Series
– **Singles Draw:** 32 players
– **Doubles Draw:** 16 teams
– **Singles Champion:** Paradorn Srichaphan
– **Doubles Champions:** Jonas Björkman / Todd Woodbridge
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## Notable Matches
### Semifinals
– Paradorn Srichaphan defeated Jarkko Nieminen
– Rainer Schüttler defeated Thomas Johansson
These matches featured intense rallies and showcased the players’ adaptability to indoor conditions.
### Quarterfinals
– Paradorn Srichaphan defeated Mario Ančić
– Rainer Schüttler defeated Mikhail Youzhny
The quarterfinals highlighted the depth of the field and the competitive nature of the tournament.
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## Player Profiles
### Paradorn Srichaphan
Paradorn Srichaphan, born in 1979 in Thailand, was known for his powerful forehand and aggressive playing style. By 2003, he had established himself as one of Asia’s leading tennis players, achieving several ATP titles and reaching a career-high ranking inside the top 10. His victory at the Stockholm Open was a key milestone in his career.
### Jonas Björkman
Swedish player Jonas Björkman was a doubles specialist with multiple Grand Slam titles to his name. Known for his excellent net play and tactical intelligence, Björkman was a crowd favorite in Stockholm, his home country.
### Todd Woodbridge
Australian Todd Woodbridge was part of the legendary doubles team “The Woodies” alongside Mark Woodforde. By 2003, Woodbridge had continued his success with new partners, including Björkman, maintaining his status as one of the top doubles players in the world.
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## Conclusion
The 2003 If Stockholm Open was a significant event on the ATP Tour calendar, featuring high-caliber tennis and memorable performances. Paradorn Srichaphan’s singles triumph and the doubles victory by Björkman and Woodbridge underscored the tournament’s competitive spirit and its role in shaping the careers of prominent tennis players. The event’s successful organization and enthusiastic fan support contributed to its enduring legacy in professional tennis.
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**META_DESCRIPTION:**
The 2003 If Stockholm Open was an ATP International Series tennis tournament held on indoor hard courts in Stockholm, Sweden. Paradorn Srichaphan won the singles title, while Jonas Björkman and Todd Woodbridge claimed the doubles championship.