In addition to the in-form American, the world No. 2 and the 17-year-old Top 10 player Mirra Andreeva also faced the media’s questions.
Jessica Pegula is enjoying her maiden Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – and was visibly impressed after her first days in Stuttgart: “I’ve been wanting to play the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for a long time.” The 31-year-old world No. 3 recently won her first clay court title in Charleston and gives the impression of being highly motivated ahead of the European season: “I feel good and ready to go. And if I’m feeling really good, I like to take advantage of it.”
Pegula, who this year has won more matches on the Tour than any other player, particularly praised the playing conditions in the Porsche Arena: “It’s definitely one of the nicer tournaments on Tour. Everything is at a very high level, well organised and the Centre Court is beautiful.” She is finding the adjustment to indoor clay very interesting: “The court is pretty slick, pretty fast – it’s different.”
As for the rest of the clay court season, Pegula is highly confident: “I didn’t get to play the clay swing last year. I’m coming in fresh and don’t have anything to defend and it’s always a good feeling.” Looking back, she is proud at the way her career has developed: “I don’t want to be the player that makes the Grand Slam quarterfinals and then loses in qualifying. I feel like my consistency is a strength even though it’s not led to winning a Slam yet.”
Swiatek on mental strength and a clay court feel
Porsche Friend Iga Swiatek is returning to the Porsche Arena as a two-time winner with high expectations. “I love this place – it’s super exciting to be here,” said the world No. 2 who won the Stuttgart tournament in 2022 and 2023 and who is now aiming for her third title. The Pole finds the tournament, at which there is a Porsche Macan Turbo at stake this year, is a nice contrast to the stressful weeks at the events in the USA: “There’s a different vibe and I’m also happy to see some Polish fans here.”
When preparing, Swiatek has this year consciously taken more time to adjust to the surface: “I came here a little bit earlier this year and then I practiced every day pretty long. I’ve had time to do some technical adjustments – and it’s helped me a lot.” She nevertheless describes the change to clay as a challenge: “We play on hard courts most of the year, so coming to clay means I still need some time to adjust. But I feel like I’m in the right place.” She thinks it is an advantage going into the clay court season now that she is a little calmer: “I could take things a bit easier and am happy to be here playing in the Porsche Arena.”
In dealing with the increasing interest in her life, the five-time Grand Slam winner stressed the work she does on the mental side of the game: “It hasn’t been easy for the past months because after having such great seasons, I’ve been on a spotlight and my every move is judged.” Nevertheless, her aim is clear: “I want to focus on myself, focus on the process, on what I want to change on court.” Together with coach Wim Fissette, she has many ideas as to how she can improve her technique: “It has been looking pretty good on the practice court, so I want to implement it in matches.”
Andreeva: finding a balance, enjoying Stuttgart
Mirra Andreeva is making her debut at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Highly mature, she appears focussed and to be enjoying her tennis. “So far everything is good. I love the tournament. I love the courts. The view on Centre Court is very nice,” said the 17-year-old – one of the youngest Top 10 players in the history of the WTA. The quick red stuff in the Porsche Arena is not what she is used to but: “I feel super comfortable playing here and hope I can show a good level of tennis in the next couple of days.”
Since her two wins in Dubai and Indian Wells at the latest, Andreeva counts as one of the season’s most improved players. By winning consecutive titles at the two recent WTA 1000 tournaments, she is the youngest player to manage the feat since Martina Hingis in 1997. In beating both the world No. 1 and 2 – Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek – in Indian Wells, she managed something that previously only Tracy Austin managed at the same age – in 1979 at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Filderstadt.
Which surface does she prefer? “Before I would definitely say clay but after a couple of tournaments, I like to play on hard courts.” Only grass remains difficult: “I need more time to get used to the surface.”
When talking about mental strength and development, she described her on-court attitude: “I just go out on court and enjoy every moment, but at the same time take it seriously.” The work with Conchita Martínez, her coach for a year, is an important factor: “We have a great relationship, and I hope we have many more years together.” A special scenario is already a surety as she will face her older sister Erika in her first-round match. “We’re going to take it professionally and will just go out on court and play as any other match,” said the teenager looking forward to the family duel.
Porsche in 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 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.
