Elena Rybakina is the new tennis queen of Stuttgart. The world No. 4 beat the Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2 in the final of the 47th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – and secured herself a Porsche Taycan 4S Sport Turismo. Right from the start in front of a 4,200 crowd, she left people in no doubt as to the destiny of the main prize. Hitting powerful groundstrokes, she dominated the rallies against the tournament giant-killer and showed her class in the few crunch moments. After only 69 minutes, the 1,84-metre tall Rybakina converted her third match point and then raised her arm in celebration when turning to her box.
“I’m very happy with my tennis this week, especially in the final when I played very solidly,” said the 24-year-old. Today’s tournament win is her third of the year. “My consistency is really impressive, and I’m so happy.”
For Elena Rybakina, the triumph in Stuttgart is her eighth career tournament success – three have come on clay. “For me, it has been a very good start to the clay-court season. I hope it’ll continue the same way. Then I’ll be one of the big favourites for the French Open,” said the overjoyed winner who received the winner’s trophy from Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche AG. “It was an amazing week here in Stuttgart. It’s all the nicer that I’ve finished it off with the title. I’m already looking forward to coming back next year.”
She now wants to pass her driving test in time for next April. Should she successfully defend her title in 2025, then she’ll be able to drive the winner’s Porsche herself onto Centre Court after the final.
After knocking out three Top 10 players during the course of the tournament, surviving three three-set matches and standing a total of 11-and-a-half hours on court, marathon woman Marta Kostyuk announced that she wants to compete at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. For me, it’s one of the world’s best tournaments. I definitely want to come back as there’s nothing more painful than losing a final where there’s a Porsche at stake.”
After the victory ceremony, it was time for the doubles final in the Porsche Arena. Hao-Ching Chan (Taipei) and Veronika Kudermetova won 4-6, 6-3,10-2 against the Norwegian Ulrikke Eikeri and her partner Ingrid Neel from Estonia.
“This year’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix was outstanding in every sense. We are very happy and satisfied,” said the Tournament Director Markus Günthardt when talking about the event over 31,000 people came attended in the Porsche Arena. “We have enjoyed world class tennis on the courts and off-court our programme of side events has set high standards.” Eight Top 10 players were in the field, five reached the quarterfinals, and there were three Grand Slam winners in the penultimate round. The Operating Tournament Director Anke Huber was also highly positive when reviewing the tournament. “All-in-all, we can be very pleased with how the tournament has gone. The spectators were treated almost daily to thrilling matches right up to late in the evening. I’ve never seen such good tennis.”
Aces for Charity – Porsche donates 60,000 euro for a good cause
Not only was the 47th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix a success, but also the Aces for Charity fundraiser which has been a fixture for many years at the long-standing Stuttgart tournament. Porsche has donated 200 euro to charitable organisations for every ace struck. Up until the final, a total of 178 outright service winners were sent and Porsche rounded the sum up to 60,000 euro. The money has been divided up equally between the “Stiftung Agapedia” foundation, and the “Johanniter-Unfall-Hilfe”. The cheques were handed over before the final on Centre Court by Albrecht Reimold, Member of the Executive Board, Production and Logistics of Porsche AG. The money will go towards funding projects for refugees from Ukraine. Elena Rybakina played a major part in increasing the donation as the winner delivered a total of 26 aces.
The audience was “warmed up” for the final by an enthralling performance danced by the world-famous Stuttgart Ballet. Composing fascinating images, the dancers presented an extract from Roman Novitzky’s piece titled “Under the Surface”.
Sunday’s results
Centre Court
[4] E. Rybakina (KAZ) d. M. Kostyuk (UKR) 6-2, 6-2
H. Chan (TPE) / V. Kudermetova d. U. Eikeri (NOR) / I. Neel (EST) 4-6, 6-3, 10-2
