DPA
Stuttgart
German players Angelique Kerber, Tatjana Maria and Laura Siegemund have been given wild card entries for next month’s Porsche Grand Prix along with former US Open champion Emma Raducanu, organizers said on Thursday.
Former winner Siegemund and Maria were given direct access into the main draw of the star studded field by the tournament because they would not be able to play in qualifying due to Billie Jean King Cup duty for Germany in Brazil.
The team event tie is on April 12 and 13, and the Stuttgart indoor clay event follows April 15-21.
“We go to great lengths to decide who we want to support with a wild card. As a tournament in Germany, we naturally want to do justice to the responsibility we have for German women’s tennis,” tournament director Anke Huber said.
“They don’t have the chance to get into the main draw here via qualifying. It’s why we’re supporting them with a wild card. One of our concerns is that Porsche Team Germany can contest the difficult away match with the best players.”
Former world number one Kerber, also a past Stuttgart champion, and Britain’s Raducanu got their wild card via WTA criteria. Kerber, who returned from maternity leave this season, is also part of the German team in Brazil.
The Stuttgart tournament is set to feature nine players from the current top 10, led by Poland’s world number one Iga Swiatek.
It was also announced on Thursday that three time grand slam winner Kerber will play at the Wimbledon tune-up event in Berlin in June.
“It is always special to play in Germany and those who know me know that I will leavue my heart on the court,” Kerber said.
Tournament director Barbara Rittner named Kerbere’s participation “an absolute highlight” and expects the former Wimbledon champion to play “a good grass court season.”
Japanese star Naomi Osaka will also participate at the June 17-23 event in the German capital.
