Preview and Schedule - Stuttgart Open (Porsche Tennis Grand Prix) : Swiatek, Sabalenka and Rybakina set for first clay challenge
WTA
The start of the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart Open) is getting closer, one of the most prestigious events in the category. As the first stop of the clay swing for the WTA Tour's top stars, the draw is led by World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, two-time champion Iga Swiatek, and defending champion Elena Rybakina.
The tournament features six top-10 players, with Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, and Mirra Andreeva among the leading contenders. However, it has suffered a couple of key withdrawals ahead of the start, with Zheng Qinwen (No. 8) and Ons Jabeur (No. 27) pulling out.
The Big Contenders
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka comes in as the top favourite in her return to the clay courts. Though not a clay specialist, the Belarusian has won two WTA 1000 titles in Madrid and reached two more finals in Madrid and Rome in 2024. She has also played three consecutive finals in Stuttgart (2021–2023), falling just short of the title each time. Fresh from her title in Miami and a final appearance in Indian Wells, Sabalenka enters Stuttgart in inspired 2025 form.
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However, when it comes to clay, the undisputed queen in recent years has been Iga Swiatek, with almost unmatched records on the surface. She owns four French Open titles (2020, 2022–2024) and 10 titles overall on clay. She won Stuttgart in 2022 and 2023, defeating Sabalenka in both finals. Her only loss on clay last season came in Stuttgart, at the hands of eventual champion Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina, the defending champion, returns to the court after a couple of strong performances in the Billie Jean King Cup, where she was key in helping Kazakhstan qualify for the Finals. She arrives with solid match rhythm, but it remains to be seen how quickly she can adapt to the slower surface—especially after competing on hard courts in Brisbane and facing a long journey back to Germany, which may affect her performance due to limited adjustment time.
Names to Watch
Mirra Andreeva (World No. 6) should definitely be considered. Despite an early third-round exit at the Miami Open, the Russian put together a 13-match winning streak and captured two consecutive WTA 1000 titles. She has also shown solid results on clay courts, including a semifinal run at Roland Garros last year.
On the other hand, the Americans are placing their hopes on Jessica Pegula (World No. 3). Pegula just claimed the title at the WTA 500 Charleston Open, confirming a strong run of form with 10 wins in her last 11 matches. She has extra motivation over the coming weeks as she has no ranking points to defend until the grass swing, meaning she has Stuttgart, two WTA 1000 events, and the French Open to accumulate points. Meanwhile, Swiatek will be defending over 4,000 points in the same tournaments, which gives Pegula a real chance of overtaking her in the rankings — potentially knocking the Pole out of the top 2 for the first time in over three years.
Coco Gauff (No. 4) and Emma Navarro (No. 11) are other American contenders to keep an eye on. Gauff has a 4–4 record since the Australian Open, and the change of surface could be her best chance to shine again on the big stage. Navarro, on the other hand, hasn't had the best run since winning the Merida Open, holding a 3–3 record since the start of the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells.
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- One more thing -- Stuttgart would not give Raducanu a Wildcard. That is more likely why she blew it off. She has said she refuses to do quali's.
mandoist14-04-2025 - If you look back at her past two years, Emma has been seemingly tactical in keeping sponsorships. Doing just enough to cnvince most of them to hang in there a bit longer. That game is closing-in on her. You can't continue BS'ing your sponsors forever. One also has to wonder what kind of personality would do less, but "demand" more from a sponsor?mandoist14-04-2025
- Nice job from Alcaraz
AceOfBase13-04-2025 - WTA players might be slightly overrated by Americans. The men's tour seems solid, though. Taylor Fritz leads the pack — the rest are chasing.MrAndreeva12-04-2025
- Shame but not unexpected. USA now face an upward hill struggle.SakkariFan2312-04-2025
- ADF v De Minaur final incomingSakkariFan2312-04-2025
- Elina needs to ditch Yukov!!Rapunzel10-04-2025
- Very funny...SakkariFan2310-04-2025
- Tend to agree with the predicament of Djoko here...SakkariFan2310-04-2025
- Shame for Draper, more practice needed on the dirt it seems!SakkariFan2310-04-2025
