Dominic Thiem and Thomas Muster came together at the Vienna State Opera tea rooms Tuesday in support of the Erste Bank Open 500, which will be contested as an ATP World Tour 500 tournament for the first time this year. Seven of the Top 20 in the Emirates ATP Rankings are set to compete at the Stadhalle from 17 October.

Former World No. 1 Muster, who is now an ambassador for the tournament, was never able to get his hands on the coveted title, finishing runner-up in 1988 (l. to Skoff), 1993 (l. to Ivanisevic) and 1995 (l. to Dewulf). But current Austrian No. 1 Thiem is looking forward to the event’s new status.

“In Austria, you always want to play particularly well,” said Thiem. “With this player field you have to be right there from the first rally onwards. The strong field was no surprise, due to the upgrade to an ATP World Tour 500 tournament. Vienna has always been very popular amongst the players and the Stadthalle is a great venue – the new 500-status is obviously an additional incentive. When players inside the Top 30 aren’t seeded, it says all about the quality of the tournament.”

Thiem will line-up alongside David Ferrer, Milos Raonic and four other members of the Top 20, including Kevin Anderson, John Isner, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ivo Karlovic.

World No. 8 Ferrer, who lost to Andy Murray in last year’s final, said, “Unfortunately, last year it just wasn’t enough for the win, but I still have great memories of the tournament. To win the tournament in Vienna is a definite goal of mine.” Ferrer has three titles to his name this year at Doha, Rio de Janeiro and Acapulco.

Tsonga, the 2011 champion, is also set to return. “I like the city just as much as the perfectly organised tournament,” the Frenchman said. “The fact that the tournament is an [ATP World Tour] 500 event makes it even more attractive.” Gael Monfils is also features in the field.