Porsche Tennis Grand Prix: Questions and answers about regular tennis in Stuttgart – Sport

The superstars will also be paying their respects at the 47th edition of the tennis classic at the Stuttgart Porsche Arena. We answer the most important questions about the tournament from April 13 to 21.

What stars did they report?

The organizers announce nine of the top ten a few days before the start of the tournament. Greek Maria Sakkari is the only player from the top ten who is not represented. Instead, world number one and defending champion Iga Swiatek from Poland, Australian Open winner Aryna Sabalenka and American Coco Gauff. Elena Rybakina, Ons Jabeur, Quinwen Zheng, Marketa Vondroussova, Jelena Ostapenko and Jessica Pegula complete the starting field of the top ten in the world rankings. American Pegula plays in Stuttgart for the first time. Out of the top 20 in the world, 14 were registered in Stuttgart. “We can be very happy about that. This is a self-evident thing,” says sports director Anke Huber.

Who are the favorites?

It is difficult to say before the start of the clay court season, which begins with the 500th tournament in Stuttgart. Last season on clay court was dominated by Swiatek, but Aryna Sabalenka also has a good chance to get Porsche victory. They recently lost three in a row in the final in Stuttgart. Ons Jabeur of Tunisia should not be underestimated as a clay court specialist.

Which German players are there at the start?

Angelique Kerber has returned to Stuttgart for the first time after her maternity leave. The three-time Grandslam winner took a break from the summer of 2022 until the end of 2023. “I hope to be there again this year,†says the 36-year-old. , who is ranked only 333rd in the world, is in the main field. Just like the most successful German professionals at the moment, Tatjana Maria and Laura Siegemund, winner of Stuttgart from 2017. They also receive a wild card. The Germans are competing under difficult conditions at the Porsche Arena: At the weekend they will travel to Brazil with the German team for the Billy Jean King Cup. Ella Seidel, Nastasja Schunk and Noma Noha Akugue are expected to start qualifying.

What is there to win?

As always, a copy from the organizer’s house: this year the Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo electric car in colorful Provence. In addition, prize money of 802,000 euros will be distributed – significantly more than last year (679,000 euros). The Stuttgart tournament is the richest in the WTA 500 series. According to tournament director Markus Günthardt, the upgrade to the 1000th tournament is “not realistic” and is not the goal of the organizers.

Are there any innovations?

“We cannot reinvent the wheel every year,” says Günthardt. Last year, public access to the so-called Village was redesigned; only minor adjustments are made here. The Racket Sports World, where other racket sports such as padel can be tried, will no longer exist this year. They want to go back to “purely sporting things,” says Günthardt. There will be an exhibition tournament on Monday where professionals from other clubs such as VfB Stuttgart will also take part.

How much is the ticket?

Regularly between 20 euros (qualification) and 95 euros (semi-finals). To order at easyticket.de or by phone 0711 / 2 55 55 55. According to the organizer, pre-sales are going very well. The tournament will be shown on Eurosport and DAZN.