Does the winner of Stuttgart still get a Porsche?
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix holds a unique place on the tennis calendar and players look forward to an exciting prize.
The long-time title sponsor of the Stuttgart event put up one of their high-end sportscars as part of the winner’s prize.
It might not come as a surprise then that the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix was voted as the favourite Premier tournament of WTA Tour players in 2007, 2008, 2010–2012, and 2014–2017.
As per organisers: “The winner of the 46th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will receive a Neptune blue Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo. An electrifying main prize: the practical all-rounder amongst the electric sports cars impresses with outstanding performance and a large range.
“Ever since the first Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, which was held in 1978, the victor has always been able to take a Porsche sports car back home with them – a tradition that is highly popular amongst the players.
“Once called the ‟most beautiful winner’s trophy on the WTA Tour” by Angelique Kerber, the tournament week’s main prize sits majestically for all to see on the rostrum at one end of Centre Court. The players therefore have it in full view during every match, and there can be no greater motivation.”
Last season’s winner, Iga Swiatek walked or rather drove away with a Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo.
Tournament Director Anke Huber says that the tournament is made what it is by the fans who pack into the Porche Arena in Stuttgart.
Stuttgart welcomed limited fans back for the 2022 event which came just as restrictions on gatherings were loosened in Germany.
“For us organisers, it was a highly emotional moment when the gates opened and the first spectators entered the arena. Finally being able to experience the atmosphere on Centre Court was something very special for us and proved that we had done a few things right,” Huber said.,
She was upbeat in her review of a 2022 event that saw Swiatek win her fourth tournament on the bounce and secure herself a Porsche.
“We couldn’t have come up with a better field. For instance, we had five Top 10 players in the quarterfinals. And the tournament itself was extremely exciting all the way through. A total of 12 matches went to three sets, two even lasted longer than three hours. One can therefore see just how tight everything is at the moment in women’s tennis. For me, it was a fantastic tournament. I had immense fun watching the matches.”
Swiatek was asked if she was excited to be taking home a Porsche, she admitted some trepidation having earned her driver’s license just six months earlier.
The 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix winner said: “Yes, for sure. It’s a pretty weird position that I’m in because I just did my driver’s license six months ago. I’m super excited. It was a great week because I got to learn a lot about the cars and getting excited and fascinated by other stuff than tennis. It’s something new because for a while I was just occupied with tennis.
“My physio knows a lot about cars so he’s going to help me choose the proper one. I don’t know if you know that, but I’m not really good at making decisions.”
Organisers have confirmed that the 2023 winner will be awarded a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo.
“Nine Top 10 ranked players and 17 from the Top 20 are set to appear in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena from 15 to 23 April,” an official announcement read.
“They include both last year’s finalists, Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. The Porsche Brand Ambassador and Grand Slam champion Emma Raducanu will also be in action in Stuttgart. Awaiting the winner of the WTA 500 tournament that has been held since 1978 is a Porsche Taycan Turbo S Sport Turismo as the main prize.”
READ MORE: Emma Raducanu ‘hits the ball just as well as any of the top players on tour’
