Anke Huber talks about…
…the superb field with numerous Top 10 players, including the world’s top four, Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff:
“Having so many top players here is something that naturally fills us with a certain degree of pride. For a WTA 500 tournament, the field is sensational. Many events envy us. Such a field means the spectators get to see fantastic matches with top players right away on the first day. They don’t have to wait to the quarterfinals.”
…the expectations of the Stuttgart crowd and the difficulties in fulfilling them:
“Our spectators are spoilt. For them, it is almost a given that we present the world’s best players year in, year out in the Porsche Arena. But it’s not easy continually fulfilling the expectations. The players think long and hard about which tournaments they want to play and how good it fits into their schedules.”
…how she entices the players to come to Porsche Arena after the USA swing:
“The players that have already been here no longer have to be convinced of the quality of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. They know exactly that we do everything to offer them conditions in which they can play their best tennis – starting with the practice facilities right up to the fabulous Porsche Arena and its fantastic crowd. They also know that they can find the best conditions to prepare on clay for the French Open in Paris. And the younger players find out about it all. The fields we have here every year is not something one can take for granted.”
…the Stuttgart debut of the 17-year-old shooting star Mirra Andreeva, the sensational winner of the WTA Masters tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells:
“Mirra is a stroke of luck. For our tournament and women’s tennis generally. It’s incredible just how good she is for a 17-year-old. Since, at the latest, her sensational win in Indian Wells when she stormed into the world’s Top 10, she is the new star in the tennis skies. We’re looking forward to seeing her play here.”
… Mirra Andreeva’s record breaking feats in women’s tennis:
“Just how good Mirra already is and what we can still expect from her is obvious in the various comparisons. Winning in Indian Wells and Dubai means that she won two Masters tournaments in succession and is the youngest player to do so since Martina Hingis 1997. In Indian Wells, she also beat both the world No. 1 and No. 2 – Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek. The last teenager to manage the feat was Tracy Austin at the 1979 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix which at the time was played in Filderstadt.”
…the competitiveness amongst the world’s top players:
“The Top 20 players are basically all on the same level. Every player is capable of knocking out a big rival. It naturally makes it incredibly interesting for the spectators as there is always a chance of upsets.”
…why she often likes to watch qualifying matches:
“It’s not only out of respect. Qualifying here traditionally has an excellent field and offers high-class tennis. Many of the players would easily get into the main draws at other tournaments. We look forward to every player, no matter whether she’s the No. 1 or the No. 50. And we show it. We treat them all in the same way and we anticipate their every wish.”
…the search for a successor to Angelique Kerber and the situation in German women’s tennis:
“There’s definitely been a gap after Angie’s retirement at the 2024 Olympic Games and her looking forward to her second child. Currently, I can’t see a player capable of following in her footsteps. But we have to be patient and wait to see if any of our talented youngsters can become world class. Eva Lys in particular is on the right track. She performed brilliantly when reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open in January. She has a lot of potential but has to become more consistent. We have to give her the time she needs.”
…the development of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and the new challenges for her as the Operating Tournament Director:
“I’ve been a part of everything for over 20 years now and in that time the tournament has been developed to new levels. Everything is bigger and more professional. The same applies to women’s tennis generally. Demands on the players have increased and they have many additional off-court activities, like for example ones for sponsors or the media and fans. But despite all the stress and tension, my job is still a lot of fun.”
Porsche im Tennis
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is the flagship of Porsche’s worldwide involvement in women’s tennis. First played in Filderstadt in 1978, the long-standing Stuttgart tournament has been held in the city’s Porsche Arena since 2006. It stands for tradition and innovation, as does the Porsche brand. As the most loyal sponsor of women’s international tennis, Porsche has accompanied the WTA’s oldest indoor event right from the start. Porsche has also been supporting women’s tennis internationally for years. Iga Swiatek, Eva Lys and Maria Sakkari are “Friends of the Brand” in their home countries. Porsche has been a premium partner of the “Deutsche Tennis Bund” (DTB – German Tennis Association) since 2012 and is committed to fostering up-and-coming players in the Porsche Talent Team and the Porsche Junior Team.
