Press-Information - Porsche

Transcription

Press-Information
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2016
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Contents
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix 2016
Tournament information
4
Information at a glance
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Timetable of the 2015 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
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Supporting Programme
13
Berenberg Classics
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The Players
24
The Top 10 – short bios
25
Prize Money
29
The winner’s car: Porsche 718 Boxster S
30
The Tournament Directors
32
The Venue
40
The Porsche Arena
40
The court in the Porsche Arena
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History
43
Porsche and the WTA
44
Roll of Honour 1978 to 2015, Singles
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Roll of Honour 1978 to 2015, Doubles
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Porsche´s Tennis Involvement
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Porsche Team Germany
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Porsche Talent Team Germany
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Contacts
67
Sponsors
68
Premium Partner
79
Charity Partner
99
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Tournament information
World class tennis in the Porsche Arena
Premiere at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – with Angelique Kerber in the line-up,
there will be a German Grand Slam winner competing at the long-standing Stuttgart
tournament for the first time in its history. The Porsche Brand Ambassador and
member of Porsche Team Germany won the Australian Open in January. She is the
defending champion and one of six top 10 players that will be appearing in the
Porsche Arena from April 16 to 24. Awaiting the winner in addition to the prize money
is a Porsche 718 Boxster S as the main prize.
The 39th edition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – under the motto “Perfect Match” –
has also attracted the stars to Stuttgart. Alongside Angelique Kerber, the other top 10
players in the line-up are Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland), winner of the 2015 WTA
Finals, rising star Garbine Muguruza (Spain), Simona Halep (Romania), the multiple
Fed Cup winner Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) and US Open finalist Roberta Vinci of
Italy.
“Crème de la Crème”
“Our main draw field once again contains the crème de la crème,” said Tournament
Director Markus Günthardt. “Particularly pleasing is the fact that we can present our
spectators with a German Grand Slam winner for the first time at the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix in Angelique Kerber. It’s always been a wish of ours.”
One player to have always thrilled many fans in Stuttgart is Ana Ivanovic from Serbia.
Unforgotten is her appearance in the 2014 final when she and Maria Sharapova
served up one of the best and most exciting finals in the history of the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix. At the end she was given a standing ovation lasting minutes on end. A top
20 player, she will be joined in the Porsche Arena by Karolina Pliskova (Czech
Republic) and Lucie Safarova, who won the Fed Cup in 2014 and 2015 with the Czech
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Republic. Also competing will be Sara Errani (Italy), who, together with Roberta Vinci,
is a five-time doubles Grand Slam winner and the winner of the 2014 Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix doubles title.
The extent of the status the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix enjoys amongst WTA Tour
players is demonstrated by the fact that they voted it their favourite tournament in its
category (Premier 700) in 2015 – for the seventh time since 2007.
Season highlight for Porsche talents
In addition to Angelique Kerber, the other players belonging to Porsche Team
Germany are also looking forward to appearing in front of their fans in the Porsche
Arena. Also entered are Andrea Petkovic, Sabine Lisicki, Annika Beck, Mona Barthel,
Julia Görges, the surprise 2011 winner, and Carina Witthöft, who, after being
supported in the Porsche Talent Team Germany, has been promoted to the Porsche
Team Germany after her recent consistently good performances.
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is also a season highlight for the Porsche Talent
Team Germany members. In with a good chance of securing a main draw berth via
qualifying is Anna-Lena Friedsam. The current German champion recently reached the
last 16 at a Grand Slam for the first time in her career at the Australian Open. “At the
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, the circle closes for our talented youngsters,” said
Barbara Rittner, the Porsche Team Germany captain. “They can gain vital experience
and learn from the world’s top players.”
Michael Stich in the Duel of Legends
On the opening day of the tournament proper, the ladies will play host to two men –
and tennis history will come alive in the Porsche Arena. Germany’s Michael Stich and
the American Michael Chang will serve up the traditional and eagerly-awaited
Berenberg Classics Duel of Legends – held in conjunction with the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix – on April 18. Michael Stich is the last German Wimbledon men’s
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champion (1991 in singles, 1992 in doubles). Michael Chang wrote tennis history when
he claimed the 1989 French Open as a 17-year old “unknown”.
Starting proceedings will be an exhibition doubles with some big names. Porsche
works driver and World Endurance Championship winner Mark Webber will team up
with Michael Stich against title-holder Angelique Kerber and Michael Chang.
The tournament organisers are also turning to world class performers in the attractive
supporting programme of events. One of the highlights are the performances by the
famous Stuttgart Ballet on the Centre Court in the Porsche Arena – on Monday, April
18 and on finals day on Sunday, April 24. With such attractions and a wide range of
sport and entertainment, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix should, according to Markus
Günthardt, “this year once again become an event for the whole family.”
Ticket information
Tickets for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix can be booked on the phone (+49 711 / 2
555 555) or via the internet at www.easyticket.de.
718 Boxster S: combined fuel consumption 8.1 – 7.3 l/100 km, urban 10.7 – 9.5 l/100 km, extra-urban
6.5 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO2-emissions 184 - 167 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): F-E.
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Tournament Information
Information at a glance
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – quick facts and figures
Date
16 April to 24 April 2016, Porsche Arena, Stuttgart
Organiser
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche Aktiengesellschaft, Stuttgart
Tournament Director
Markus Günthardt
Operating Tournament Director
Anke Huber
Press
Viktoria Wohlrapp
Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG
Director Porsche Sports Communications
Porscheplatz 1, 70435 Stuttgart
Tel: + 49 711 911-28099
Mobile: +49 170 911-4979
[email protected]
Claus-Peter Andorka
C3 Stuttgart Creative Code and Content GmbH
Tournament Spokesman
Telephone: +49 (0)711-900-510
Mobile: +49 (0)172-6911-517
E-mail: [email protected]
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During the tournament, Claus-Peter Andorka will be your on-site contact in the Press
Centre in the Porsche Arena.
Competing players
32 in singles qualifying, 28 in singles main draw (4 qualifiers, 4 wild cards), 16 pairs in
doubles main draw
Playing times
The qualifying matches begin on Saturday, 16 April at 10.00 am (all times are local),
and on Sunday, 17 April at 11.00 am. Play from Monday, 18 April through to Thursday,
21 April will start at 12.00 am. The quarterfinals on Friday, 22 April will begin at 2.00
pm. The first semi-final on Saturday, 23 April will commence at 1.30 pm as will the final
on Sunday, 26 April.
Television (subject to change)
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will be televised by the regional SWR channel and
Eurosport.
Eurosport will show Monday’s Duel of Legends between Stich and Chang live from
6.30 pm and one match daily at 6.30 pm from Tuesday to Friday. Additionally,
highlights of the first semi-final will be shown on Saturday at 5.00 pm, of the second
semi-final at 8.15 pm and the final will be show on Sunday at 11.00 pm.
SWR will broadcast live from the Porsche Arena from 2.00 to 4.00 pm on both
Thursday and Friday and from 1.30 pm on Saturday and Sunday.
There is a special online service available for fans all over the world as matches will be
livestreamed via ran.de and tennis.de. The final will also be shown on porschetennis.de.
Tickets
Tickets can be booked on the phone (+49 711 / 2 555 555) or via the internet at
www.easyticket.de as well as daily at the Porsche Arena box offices during the
tournament week.
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Prize money
759,000 US dollars total prize money
Winner - singles: 129,551 US dollars
Winners - doubles: 40,524 US dollars
Main prize
The singles winner will receive the prize money and the main prize, a Porsche 718
Boxster S.
Status Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is a WTA Premier Event tournament. It is the highest
tournament category after the four Grand Slams in Melbourne, Paris, Wimbledon and
New York. In the recent past, the players voted it as their favourite tournament
worldwide in its category in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015.
Sponsors
Bose, CONICA AG, Fila, Rado Switzerland, Turkish Airlines, Walter Knoll AG & Co.
KG, Württembergische Versicherung AG
Premium Partners
Avis Budget Autovermietung GmbH & Co. KG, Babolat, Berenberg, DEKRA, Ensinger
Mineral-Heilquellen GmbH, Geldermann Privatsektkellerei GmbH, Klingenberg GmbH,
Konica Minolta IT Solutions GmbH, Marbach Concepte GmbH & Co. KG, OLYMP
Bezner KG, Raumpflege AG, Success Hotel Group, Wilson
Charity Partners
Agapedia, Plan International Deutschland, UNICEF
A look back to 2015
Singles final
Angelique Kerber (GER) – Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 3-6, 6-1, 7-5
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Doubles final
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) / Lucie Safarova (CZE) – Caroline Garcia (FRA) /
Katharina Srebotnik (IND) 6-4, 6-3
First Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
First played in 1978, it is Europe’s oldest women’s indoor tournament. The first winner
was the American Tracy Austin who went on to win the next three Grand Prix.
The most successful players
With six wins to her name, Martina Navratilova (USA) is the most successful player in
the history of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. Behind her are Tracy Austin (USA) and
Martina Hingis (SUI) on four wins apiece, Maria Sharapova (RUS) and Lindsay
Davenport (USA) with three wins and Anke Huber (GER), Kim Clijsters (BEL) and
Justine Henin (BEL), who have each won twice.
German winners
Three German players have been able to win the tournament to date: Anke Huber
(1991 and 1994), Julia Görges (2011) and Angelique Kerber (2015).
Men’s tournament
The only Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for men was held in 1979. Two Porsche Grand
Prix took place that year. For the record: the Pole Wojtek Fibak beat the Argentine
Guillermo Vilas in the final and won a Porsche 928.
Internet Press Database
The data bank contains texts, tournament draws, background information and photos
free of charge.
https://presse.porsche.de
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Porsche Newsroom
Additional Porsche tennis contents for journalists, blogger and online multipliers:
https://newsroom.porsche.com/en
Webpage
www.porsche-tennis.com
Facebook
www.facebook.com/PorscheTennisGrandPrix
Twitter
www.Twitter.com/porschetennis
Instagram
www.instagram.com/porschetennis
YouTube
www.youtube.com/porschetennisgp
6.5 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO2-emissions 184 - 167 g/km
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Timetable of the 2015 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
Day
Saturday, 16 April 2016 (Kids' Day/ 1st round qualifying)
Gates open:
Start of play:
Draw:
Sunday, 17 April 2016 (Kids' Day/ 2nd round qualifying)
Gates open:
Start of play:
Time
Place
09:30
10:00
16:00
Match Court 1+2 (Village)
Kids&Activity Village
10:30
11:00
Match Court 1+2 (Village)
Monday, 18 April 2016 (Qualifying finals + 1st round main draw)
11:30
Gates open:
12:00
Start of play:
Show Match: Angelique Kerber & Michael Chang
17:30
vs Mark Webber & Michael Stich
18:00
Stuttgarter Ballet performance:
18:30
Berenberg Classics:
approx: 20:00
Presentation of the Players
following
Players’ Night:
Match Court 1 (Village)
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
VIP Bereich
Tuesday, 19 April 2016 (Friends' Day/ 1st round main draw)
11:30
Gates open:
12:00
Start of play:
18:30 (not before)
1st feature match of the day:
following
2nd feature match of the day:
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Wednesday, 20 April 2016 (Family Day/ 1st round main draw)
11:30
Gates open:
12:00
Start of play:
18:30 (not before)
following
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Thursday, 21 April 2016 (Fitness Day/ Last 16)
Gates open:
Start of play:
11:30
12:00
18:30 (not before)
following
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Friday, 23 April 2016 (Quarterfinals)
Gates open:
Start of 1st quarterfinal:
2nd quarterfinal:
Doubles:
3rd quarterfinal:
4th quarterfinal:
12:00
14:00
following
17:00 (not before)
18:30 (not before)
following
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Porsche Mini Tennis Grand Prix:
from 12:00
Saturday, 23 April 2016 (Semi-finals)
Gates open:
Start of 1st singles semi-final:
1st doubles semi-final:
2nd singles semi-final:
2nd doubles semi-final
12:00
13:30
anschließend
18:00 (not before)
following
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Porsche Mini Tennis Grand Prix:
from 12:00
Sunday, 24 April 2016 (Finals)
Gates open:
"Aces for Charity" check handover
Stuttgarter Ballet performance:
Start of singles final:
Start of doubles final
12:00
13:00
following
13:30
following
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Centre Court
Finals of Porsche Mini Tennis Grand Prix:
from 12:00
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Supporting Programme
Attractive range of entertainment
Two performances by the Stuttgart Ballet plus Michael Stich and Michael Chang in the
Duel of the Legends, the attractive programme of entertainment containing sport,
games and thrills will provide a spot of variety in between the matches at the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix. Whether autograph sessions, competitions or “get involved”
activities, both young and old will get their money’s worth at the long-standing
tournament in the Porsche Arena.
Tournament Draw in Kids & Activity Village
Who has to play who at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix? The main draw will be made
in public in the Kids & Activity Village at 4.00 pm local time on Saturday. It will be
conducted by Laura Ceccarelli, the WTA Supervisor, together with Tournament
Director Markus Günthardt and Anke Huber, the Operating Tournament Director. Also
present will be a Porsche Team Germany player.
Stuttgart Ballet on Centre Court
The artistic elements within the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s attractive supporting
programme will be provided by the Porsche-supported Stuttgart Ballet. Young dancers
belonging to the world famous company will perform “PS” – a piece choreographed by
Katarzyna Kozielska – on Centre Court in the Porsche Arena at 6.00 pm on Monday,
18 April and then at 1.00 pm on Sunday, 24 April to get the audience in the mood for
the final.
Tennis legends in the Berenberg Classics
Big names are not only to be found amongst the players competing in the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix. The Berenberg Classics at 6.30 pm on Monday, 18 April will see
Michael Stich and Michael Chang face each other on Centre Court in the Duel of
Legends. Immediately afterwards, the women will be presented to the Centre Court
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audience.
Starting proceedings will be an exhibition doubles with some big names. The Porsche
works driver Mark Webber will team up with Michael Stich against title-holder
Angelique Kerber and Michael Chang.
A village to browse around and be amazed
The Sport and Lifestyle Village, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s attractive area for
visitors to the tournament, is where numerous exhibitors showcase the latest products
and trends from the fields of sport, fashion, technology, nutrition, health and spa
treatments. In addition to no end of “get involved” activities for both young and old,
there are also the daily autograph sessions with the players. Additionally, one can
watch the stars practising close up courtside.
The fascination of Porsche
Immerse yourself in the Porsche World: visitors can find out about everything Porsche
throughout the tournament week in the Porsche Arena entrance hall. In addition to the
Porsche Museum, Porsche Motorsport and the vocational training department will also
be showcasing themselves. There is lots of information about all things Porsche at the
various information stands – and there are naturally numerous sports cars to marvel
at.
Tennis for a good cause
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix supports three charity partners: Agapedia, Plan
International and UNICEF. Jürgen Klinsmann’s charitable foundation, the “AgapediaStiftung”, provides children with, for example, homework supervision and meaningful
after-school leisure activities like sport, games and creative arts at their centre for
children in nearby Esslingen. The “Kinderhilfswerk Plan International Deutschland” is
active in 51 countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. On board for the first time this
year is the UNICEF agency working for the rights of children. As a part of the “Aces
for Charity” campaign, Porsche will give a donation to its charity partners for every
ace hit during the course of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The check handover will
take place on Sunday, 24 April prior the single finals on the Centre Court.
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Thrilling ways to pass time
Great entertainment is also to be had in the Kids’ and Activity Village. In the area next
to the Sport and Lifestyle Village, there is, for example, a Kids’ Corner run jointly with
the Spielwaren Kurtz toy shop. It has games stations and many “get involved”
activities. The Carrera slot car racing track and video games are other thrilling ways for
kids to pass time – and there’s a mini tennis court.
A fan club for every player
At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, every player is loudly supported by their own fan
club as a part of the “Players Cheer Up” campaign. Each fan club is made up of 12
juniors from tennis clubs belonging to the regional Württemberg Tennis Association
(WTB) and the Baden Tennis Association (BTV). They are entitled to free entry to the
Porsche Arena for as long as their player is still in the tournament. The most inventive
fan club will be given a prize on finals day.
Fantastic offers for young and old
Children, adults and families are offered exciting matches and lots of entertainment
and activities at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. The first Saturday and Sunday
(qualifying weekend, 16 and 17 April) are Kids’ Days with competitions and various
“get involved” activities. On the traditional Family Day (Wednesday, 20 April), the
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is well worth a visit particularly for families – two children
up to the age of 14 will be granted free admission. The youngsters with the best serve
will be invited to go on court for the day’s first match to toss the coin.
Big stage for the little ones
The finals weekend at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix also provides the big stage for
the little ones. From 22 to 24 April, the 4th Porsche Mini Tennis Grand Prix –
presented by the SÜDWESTBANK – will be played on four mini courts in the Sport
and Lifestyle Village. The participating U-9 boys and girls all qualified for the finals
after winning one of the qualifying tournaments organised by 16 clubs in Baden and
Württemberg.
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Mixed doubles on the microphone
Heinz Günthardt will also be the announcer at this year’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The brother of tournament director Markus Günthardt was one of the world’s best
doubles players in his playing days. The Swiss will also be lining up for a mixed
doubles in the Porsche Arena – together with SWR – the regional television channel –
presenter Annette Krause. Presenting the matches on Court 1 will be Alexander
Adam.
What moves women
The “Women and Brand” congress to be held in conjunction with the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix on 21 April will not only concentrate on aspects particular to the media and
consumer behaviour of women. One talk will deal with Porsche’s engagement in
women’s tennis, another with the role of the WTA as pioneers in the marketing of
women. The participants will be welcomed by Tournament Director Markus Günthardt.
And then there’s...
On Friends’ Day (Tuesday, 19 April), every visitor to the tournament will be greeted
with a glass of sparkling wine. They will also receive vouchers that can be exchanged
at the stands in the Sport and Lifestyle Village for a small present. Various activities
with a health spa and fitness theme are on the programme for the Fitness Day
(Thursday, 21 April) in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s public area.
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Berenberg Classics
Michael Stich and Michael Chang in Duel of Legends
It is a tradition at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix that the ladies play host to two
gentlemen on the first day of the tournament proper. This time around, the world’s best
women players will welcome Michael Stich and Michael Chang to the Porsche Arena.
They will face each other in the eagerly-awaited Berenberg Classics Duel of Legends
starting at 6.30 pm on Monday, 18 April. Eurosport will televise the match live.
“Our audience will once again be served a piece of tennis history by Michael Stich and
Michael Chang. They both made their mark on the game over many years playing
unforgettable matches,” said Tournament Director Markus Günthardt. “The Berenberg
Classics is an integral part of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and a further highlight at
the start of the tournament. We’re delighted we are able to continue the tradition with
two Grand Slam winners and tennis personalities who are well-remembered by tennis
fans everywhere.
Michael Stich’s career is full of superlatives. On his way to winning Wimbledon in
1991, he beat, one after the other, the French Open champion Jim Courier, the world
number one Stefan Edberg and then in the final Boris Becker. The doubles final he
played alongside John McEnroe one year later lasted 301 minutes and has gone down
in history as the longest Wimbledon doubles final of all time. Partnered by Boris
Becker, he won gold at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona and together with Steffi
Graf he claimed the 1993 Hopman Cup. He was also a member of the German team
that lifted the Davis Cup in the same year. In recognition of his work for charity,
Michael Stich has received numerous awards – including the Order of Merit of the
Federal Republic of Germany in 2008.
Michael Chang played the most memorable match of his career at the French Open in
Paris. In the round of the last 16, the 17-year old American, son of Taiwanese
immigrants, drove the great Ivan Lendl to the verge of despair with his, at times,
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unorthodox style. Plagued by cramp and on the brink of retiring, he eventually won 46, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3. In the final, he beat Stefan Edberg to become the youngest Grand
Slam winner of all-time.
There is big interest in the Duel of the Legends and it will probably be watched by a
capacity crowd in the Porsche Arena. “The Berenberg Classics attracts the top names
in tennis year in, year out to Stuttgart,” said Oliver Holtz, the manager of the Stuttgart
branch of the Berenberg Bank. “After legends like Agassi, McEnroe, Sampras, Lendl,
Edberg and Wilander, spectators can this time look forward to Michael Stich, the last
German men’s Wimbledon winner, and Michael Chang. The highly popular players
can be guaranteed to serve up some thrilling tennis.”
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Berenberg Classics
Michael Stich – a bio
Date of birth:
18 October 1968
Turned pro:
1988
Career win-loss:
385:176 (singles)
Career titles:
18 singles, 10 doubles
Grand Slam wins:
1 singles: Wimbledon 1991; 1 doubles: Wimbledon 1992
Prize money:
12,595,128 US dollars
Retired in:
1997
Michael Stich’s biggest career success came with “little warning”. He won his first
professional tournament in Memphis in 1990 and then his second in Wimbledon in
1991. On the way to triumphing at the world’s most prestigious tournament, he beat
one after the other, the freshly-crowned French Open champion Jim Courier, the world
number one Stefan Edberg and then in the final Boris Becker. His exploits earned him
the German “Sportsman of the Year” award. He is to date the last German Wimbledon
men’s singles champion.
Michael Stich was always one to produce exceptional matches which tennis fans can
still well remember today. One of them was the doubles win in Wimbledon in 1992
when, partnered by John McEnroe, in a historical final he beat Jim Grabb/Richey
Renneberg 19-17 in the fifth and final set. The encounter lasted a total of 301 minutes
and has gone down in history as the longest Wimbledon doubles final of all time. His
qualities as a doubles player were also demonstrated at the 1992 Olympic Games in
Barcelona when, together with Boris Becker, he won the gold medal for Germany.
The serve-volley specialist, whose strengths, alongside a precise serve and excellent
game at the net, included a technically perfect one-handed backhand, also caused a
quite a stir at the 1993 ATP World Championships in Frankfurt. In perhaps the best
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match of his career, he defeated Pete Sampras in the final in four sets. The success
crowned a season in which he amassed six tournament wins including the indoor
event in Stuttgart. At the end of the season he was ranked number two in the world – a
position he held for a total of 28 weeks. In both 1991 and 1993 he celebrated
tournament wins on four different surfaces within a calendar year.
He also has an impressive record when playing for Germany. In 1993, he was
instrumental in helping the German team lift the Davis Cup after beating Australia
comfortably in the final. Previously in the same year, he and Stefanie Graf won the first
ever Hopman Cup title for Germany. In the following year, he was a member of the
team that won the ATP World Team Cup along with Bernd Karbacher, Patrick Kühnen
and Karsten Braasch.
After numerous injury breaks, he made an impressive comeback in 1996 by battling
his way, unseeded, to the final of the French Open. He retired one year later in
Wimbledon – also with a bang. The world No. 88 at the time, he fought his way to the
semifinals at a Grand Slam tournament for the ninth time.
When still a pro and using his own money, he founded the non-profit making Michael
Stich Foundation that campaigns for children affected by HIV and suffering from AIDS.
For his charitable work in a wide variety of areas within society, the avid fan of
Hamburg SV football club was awarded numerous honours – including the Order of
Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany in 2008 and the 1999 Georg von Opel Prize
for his social responsibility as a sportsman. He is still active within the game as the
tournament director in Hamburg as well as commentating for the British channel, BBC.
He has been married to Alexandra Rikowski since 2005.
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Talking about the match against Michael Chang, he said:
“Michael is a real fighter on court. I can still well remember our last encounter in
Cincinnati in 1995. Though I made CNN’s sports news with the “shot of the day”, I
nevertheless lost the match. It alone is a reason why I’m really looking forward to
playing him once again as a part of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix – especially as
Stuttgart was always a good hunting ground for me as I won both the Weissenhof
tournament and the Stuttgart indoors.”
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Berenberg Classics
Michael Chang – a bio
Date of birth:
22 February 1972
Turned pro:
1988
Career win-loss:
662:312 (singles)
Career titles:
34 (singles)
Grand Slam wins:
1 singles title – French Open 1989
Prize money:
19,145,632 US dollars
Retried in:
2003
Right away as a teenager things could not go quick enough for Michael Chang – he
left school at the age of 16 to become a professional tennis player – at 17 he became
the youngest Grand Slam winner of all time at the French Open. In doing so, it was
less his five-set win in the final against Stefan Edberg that has gone down in history –
it was more his legendary last 16 match against Ivan Lendl. Plagued by cramp and on
the brink of retiring, his, at times, unorthodox style – including serving underarm –
drove the Czech to the verge of despair. Eventually after 4 hours 43 minutes, he
triumphed 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
The son of Taiwanese immigrants became one of the best and most successful
players of his era but Paris nevertheless remained his only Grand Slam win. Michael
Chang was ranked No. 2 in the world and maintained a place in the top ten for many
years. He however lost all three Grand Slam finals he subsequently played in. At the
1995 French Open, he was defeated by Thomas Muster and then in 1996 he was
runner-up to Boris Becker at the Australian Open before losing to Pete Sampras at the
US Open. On the other hand, he was victorious at a total of six Masters tournaments
in Indian Wells, Miami and Cincinnati. In 1990, he won the Davis Cup with Team USA.
After a career that included 34 tournament wins, he played his last match at the 2003
US Open.
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He was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008. Together with his
wife Amber, a former tennis player, and his three children, he lives in Orange County,
California. An enthusiastic angler and golfer who is also the chairman of the Chang
Family Foundation, he returned to the ATP Tour in 2014 when he started coaching the
Japanese pro Kei Nishikori. In the same year, his prodigy reached a Grand Slam final
for the first time at the US Open.
And as a coach, things obviously cannot go quick enough.
Talking about the match against Michael Stich, he said:
“I’m really looking forward to the match against Michael especially as we’ll be playing
each other in Stuttgart on clay. In the old days, we had many great and close matches.
I’ve already heard a lot about the fantastic atmosphere in the Porsche Arena. I’m sure
we’ll produce some good tennis and naturally some fun and entertainment for the
spectators to enjoy.
23
The Players
(Status: 11.04.2016)
Nr. Player
Nationality
WTA-Ranking
1
RADWANSKA, AGNIESZKA
POL
02
2
KERBER, ANGELIQUE
GER
03
3
MUGURUZA, GARBINE
ESP
04
4
HALEP, SIMONA
ROU
06
5
KVITOVA, PETRa
CZE
07
6
VINCI, ROBERTA
ITA
08
7
SUAREZ NAVARRO, CARLA
ESP
11
8
SAFAROVA, LUCIE
CZE
15
9
PLISKOVA, KAROLINA
CZE
18
10
IVANOVIC, ANA
SRB
19
11
ERRANI, SARA
ITA
20
12
KONTA, JOHANNA
UK
22
13
PAVLYUCHENKOVA, ANASTASIA
RUS
27
14
MLADENOVIC, KRISTINA
FRA
28
15
MAKAROVA, EKATARINA
RUS
29
16
PETKOVIC, ANDREA
GER
30
17
NICULESCU, MONICA
ROU
31
18
GARCIA, CAROLINE
FRA
45
19
CORNET, ALIZÉ
FRA
48
20
LISICKI, SABINE
GER
50
24
The Top 10 – short bios
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix traditionally attracts the best women players to
Stuttgart – and the 2016 starting line up is also of a top Grand Slam standard.
Including title-holder and Porsche Brand Ambassador Angelique Kerber, a total of
eight Top 10 stars will be competing in Stuttgart’s Porsche Arena. Awaiting the winner
is, along with the prize money, the new Porsche 718 Boxster S. Following are short
bios of the leading players in this year’s main draw field.
(All details as of 21 March 2016)
1) Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland
Born on 6 March 1989 in Krakow/Poland
Residence: Krakow/Poland
Right-handed
WTA wins: 18 in singles, 2 in doubles
Prize money: 22,833,221 dollars
World ranking: 2
Twitter: @ARadwanska
2) Angelique Kerber, Germany
Born on 18 January 1988 in Bremen/Germany
Residence: Puszczykowo/Poland
Left-handed
WTA wins: 8 in singles
World ranking: 3
Twitter: @AngeliqueKerber
25
3) Garbine Muguruza, Spain
Born on 8 October 1993 in Caracas/Venezuela
Residence: Barcelona/Spain
Right-handed
WTA wins: 2 in singles/5 in doubles
World ranking: 4
Twitter: @GarbiMuguruza
4) Simona Halep, Romania
Born on 27 September 1991 in Constanta/Romania
Residence: Constanta/Romania
Right-handed
World ranking: 5
Twitter: @Simona_Halep
5) Carla Suárez Navarro, Spain
Born on 3 September 1988 in Las Palmas/Spain
Residence: Barcelona/Spain Right-handed WTA wins: 2 in singles, 3 in doubles
World ranking: 6 26
Twitter: @CarlaSuarezNava 6) Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic
Born on 8 March 1990 in Bilovec/Czech Republic
Residence: Bilovec/Czech Republic
Left-handed
Prize money: 20,640,724
World ranking: 7
Twitter: @Petra_Kvitova
7) Roberta Vinci, Italy
Born on 18 February 1983 in Taranto/Italy
Residence: Taranto/Italy
Right-handed
World ranking: 9
Twitter: @roberta_vinci
8) Belinda Bencic, Switzerland
Born on 10 March 1997 in Flawil/Switzerland
Residence: Wollerau/Switzerland
Right-handed
27
World ranking: 10
Twitter: @BelindaBencic
9) Karolina Pliskova, Czech Republic
Born on 21 March 1992 in Louny/Czech Republic
Residence: Monte Carlo/Monaco
Right-handed
World ranking: 14
Twitter: @KaPliskova
10) Lucie Safarova, Czech Republic
Born on 4 February 1987 in Brünn/Czech Republic
Residence: Monte Carlo/Monaco
Left-handed
World ranking: 15
Twitter: @luciesafarova
28
Prize Money
At stake for the world’s top women tennis players at the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand
Prix is a total of 759,000 dollars prize money. The winner will receive over 129,551
dollars – and a Porsche 718 Boxster S.
Overview
US dollars
Total
759,000
Singles
US dollars
Winner
129,551
Runner-up
69,182
Semi-finalist
36,950
Quarterfinalist
19,863
Round of the last 16
10,651
6,760
Doubles (per team)
US dollars
Winners
40,524
Runners-up
21,650
Semi-finalists
11,831
Quarterfinalists
6,020
3,270
Qualifying
US dollars
Round 3
3,036
Round 2
1,613
Round 1
898
6.5 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO2-emissions 184 - 167 g/km
29
The winner’s car: Porsche 718 Boxster S
Exceptional sports cars for great winners – a long tradition at the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix. This time around the big prize is a brand new Porsche 718 Boxster S, a
mid-engine roadster with a turbo-charger and breathtaking performance. Last year’s
winner Angelique Kerber was able to get a first impression at a photo shoot.
Many top sports men and women are inherently superstitious. Ahead of a tournament,
they do not like to go anywhere near the trophy they are aiming to win. However at a
photo shoot ahead of the tournament, Angelique Kerber succumbed. Is it any wonder?
The new Porsche 718 Boxster S is a real winner. A Stuttgart gesamtkunstwerk
containing every Porsche gene. An old friend that has been reinvented and is
nevertheless pledged to tradition – the 718 Boxster. With the roadster, Porsche draws
on the legacy of the 718 mid-engine sports cars which in the 1950s and 1960s won
numerous races – including the legendary Targa Florio, Le Mans and the European
hill-climb championship – using four-cylinder flat engines.
The engine sits well shielded between the rear axle and the seats and is particularly
responsible for the special driving experience. Thanks to its weight distribution, the
roadster is a real cornering specialist. As a result, the power unit in the middle is quite
simply the expression of a locomotion philosophy. It has become significantly smaller
but is far more powerful and nevertheless uses up to 13 per cent less fuel. The sixcylinder flat engine has become a four-cylinder which is what gives the roadster its
new name. Porsche 718 Boxster. The element that the race winners did not have in
former times is what really revs up the new Boxster – the VTG technology, a complex
turbo charger that until now had only additionally powered the Porsche 911 Turbo.
The result is quite impressive. With 2.5 litres of displacement, the turbo produces 257
kW (350 hp) from the middle which is significantly more than its predecessor (plus 26
kW/35 hp). Equipped with the Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe and the Sport
Chrono Package, it sprints from zero to 100 km/h in 4.2 seconds. It reaches its top
30
speed at 285 km/h. The active PASM sport chassis – enabling a 20 millimetre ride
height – and the up to ten per cent more direct electro-mechanical steering have been
accordingly adjusted. Naturally, the power of the winner’s car is obvious for all to see.
It appears wider, more masculine than before, its body language is more pronounced,
its air intakes are larger, its bi-xenon headlights are more dominant.
The 718 Boxster S with all this and more will be standing courtside in the Porsche
Arena for the duration of the tournament – spurring the tennis ladies on to top
performances. A real sportsperson and motivator par excellence. “You see the car the
whole week and it’s always a topic of conversation amongst us players,” said
Angelique Kerber. And it sometimes helps: “In the final last year, I was 5-3 down in the
third set against Caroline Wozniacki. Then I saw the car and said to myself, ‘Come on,
keep going.’ You can see, what it’s all about.”
6.5 – 6.0 l/100 km; CO2-emissions 184 - 167 g/km; efficiency class (Germany): F-E.
31
The Tournament Directors
Markus Günthardt and Anke Huber – a strong doubles
Behind the success of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is a whole team. It is headed by
Markus Günthardt as Tournament Director and Anke Huber as Operating Tournament
Director.
Markus Günthardt, himself a professional on the ATP Tour from 1978 to 1985 and a
Davis Cup player for Switzerland, has been the tournament director since 2005. After
a playing career in which he was world-ranked No. 40 in the doubles rankings, he
remained in the game first as tournament director at the Eurocard Open in Stuttgart
and the ATP Tour World Championships in Hannover. He later acted as a consultant
for the Turkish Tennis Association at the WTA Championships which were played in
Istanbul from 2011 to 2013. His experience is in demand worldwide also in the WTA
Board of Directors. Markus Günthardt lives with his wife and two children in Madrid
and in Switzerland.
Anke Huber has been the Operating Tournament Director of the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix since 2002. The former No 4 on the WTA world rankings played the standout match of her career against Stefanie Graf in the 1995 Masters final. One year later
she reached her only Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. She amassed a total of
12 WTA tournaments. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, she won the tournament in
1991 (against Martina Navratilova) and again in 1994 (against Mary Pierce). Of her
632 career matches, she won 418. She has two children and lives with her family in
Frankenthal, Germany.
32
Markus Günthardt, Tournament Director, on the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
“A German Grand Slam winner has always been a wish of ours”
A starting line-up with eight Top 10 players and stars like Angelique Kerber, Ana
Ivanovic, Agnieszka Radwanska and Belinda Bencic – the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
will this year once again bring the world’s best women players to Stuttgart. Markus
Günthardt’s expectations however go much further. “It’s not the fantastic main draw
field alone that makes a tournament a good one,” said the Swiss. “For me as a
tournament director, what counts above all is a full house and a great atmosphere, no
matter who’s on court.”
Speaking ahead of the 39th edition of the long-standing Stuttgart tournament in the
Porsche Arena from 16 to 24 April, he talked about...
...the return of Angelique Kerber in the Porsche Arena as the title-holder and
Australian Open winner:
“Being able to present our audience with a German Grand Slam winner has always
been a wish of ours. The Porsche Brand Ambassador’s win at the Australian Open
therefore came, for us as a tournament, at exactly the right moment. And Angelique is
also the title-holder. Our spectators will give her a big welcome and cheer her on in all
her matches. I’m sure it’ll be a triumphal return for her in the Porsche Arena.”
...her chances of successfully defending her title:
“She’ll come back as the freshly-crowned Grand Slam winner and title-holder, the
spectators will worship the ground she walks on – no other player will go into the
tournament with a better chance of having a successful week in the Porsche Arena.
But in sport there are no guarantees. It’s something we’ve often seen. In Australia she
was match point down in the first round and everything could have gone completely
differently. Angelique is obviously one of the big favourites. She has the motivation
and the self-confidence. But we shouldn’t forget she’ll be up against some very strong
opponents.”
33
...the main draw field in 2016 with a whole host of Top 10 stars:
“Having so many Top 10 players here is naturally a wonderful endorsement for our
work. It’s almost a luxury. Even when it’s almost normal for the Porsche Tennis Grand
Prix, it does show that we’re doing something right. “It’s not the fantastic main draw
field alone that makes a tournament good. For me as a tournament director what
counts above all is a full house and a great atmosphere no matter who’s on court. It’s
the commendation that you need as a team. Plus, such an exciting and top class final
like the one we had last year. If we can experience something like it again, no matter
who wins, then we’ll all be very happy.”
...the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s recipe for success:
“As far as the players are concerned, we do everything we can so that they feel at
home here and have the conditions and facilities in which they can produce their best
tennis. It’s something we obviously manage to do. The world’s best players come to
our tournament. Alongside the Top 10 stars, the world No. 11 will also be here and she
won’t even be seeded. This means she may have to play the number eight in the first
round. There’s no other tournament in the world where it can happen. It’s like the
second week at a Grand Slam as the No. 11 would be seeded at every other
tournament. Nevertheless she’ll be here, just like the No. 20. For me, it’s proof that the
whole package is right.”
...the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix as a crowd puller:
“We’ve got a fantastic crowd in Stuttgart and we do everything so that it remains loyal
in the future. It’s obviously working and it’s a good sign when some of the days are
already sold out a couple of months in advance. World class tennis alone won’t suffice
to fill a hall in the long run. Many visitors spend the whole day here. They don’t only
want to watch tennis for hours on end but experience something extra. Therefore for
us, an attractive supporting programme of events is highly important. We offer not only
autograph sessions with the stars but also “get involved” activities for both young and
old – and everything in an atmosphere in which people feel at ease. The Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix, and it’s very important for us, has to be an event for the whole
family.”
34
...the role of Porsche:
“Porsche is a really important element in the success of the tournament. It has a
magnetism that only few title-sponsors have. But Porsche is not only the title-sponsor
but also the promoter and it’s felt throughout the venue. With Porsche’s support, we
can put a coherent concept into place that is consistent and top notch – exactly as we
envisage it. Players profit from it as do spectators.”
...his favourites:
“A final with Angelique Kerber would naturally be a dream, for our audience too. I say
that with all the neutrality to which I, as a Swiss and the tournament director, am
bound. But till then is a long and hard road. For me there’s no clear favourite. The
differences at the top are minimal. It all depends on one’s form on the day, from one’s
mental state. A final containing Simona Halep, Agnieszka Radwanska or Petra Kvitova
is also a distinct possibility. Perhaps we’ll have another big surprise like in 2011 when
Julia Görges sensationally won the tournament. At the moment I wouldn’t dare make a
prediction.”
...the tournament’s popularity amongst the players:
“I’ve been the tournament director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix since 2005 and in
that time the players have voted us as their favourite tournament worldwide on seven
occasions. It’s an accolade for which we can be proud and it spurs us on to continue to
work hard at making things even better. I think it is the whole package that makes us
stand out. The Porsche Arena is a fantastic hall and then there’s the magnetism of
Porsche as the title-sponsor. What’s also important for the players is that we have a
tournament where everything is close together. Everything is within easy walking
distance. If they want, players can, so to say, pop over from their hotel in flip-flops to
practice or play a match. The facilities are excellent and we have a highly enthusiastic
crowd that get totally involved in every match – no matter whether two stars or two
qualifiers are out on court.”
35
...the role of Anke Huber as the Operating Tournament Director:
“Anke has been a part of it all for even longer than I have and she’s enormously
important for the tournament. She has a good relationship with the players even
though she comes from another generation. Stemming from it is a mutual trust which
would be otherwise very difficult to build up. Anke knows her way around. She knows
what a player wants, what a player needs, how a player thinks. During the tournament,
she takes on a very important function as the link between the WTA, the players and
the tournament organisers. Anke is the ideal person for the key position.”
...the appearance of the tennis legends Michael Stich and Michael Chang in the
Porsche Arena:
“They are two players tennis fans still like to remember. Michael Stich is the last
German men’s Wimbledon winner. His exemplary involvement in charity work after the
end of his career has shown that a tennis player’s horizon doesn’t have to stop at the
base line. Michael Chang produced one of the unforgettable highlights in Grand Slam
history with his memorable win as a 17-year old nobody against Ivan Lendl in the
French Open. Both are real tennis personalities and have always known how to
entertain the crowd. I’m really looking forward to watching them both.”
*
Markus Günthardt has been the tournament director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
since 2005. Born in Zürich on 10 September 1957, the Swiss was himself a
professional player on the ATP Tour from 1978 to 1985. In this time, he also played for
Switzerland in the Davis Cup. He remained in the game after his playing career.
Working for Ion Tiriac, he organised various tournaments such as the Eurocard Open
in Stuttgart and the ATP Tour World Championships in Hannover. He acted as a
consultant for the Turkish Tennis Association at the WTA Championships which were
played in Istanbul from 2011 to 2013. His experience is in demand worldwide also in
the WTA Board of Directors. Markus Günthardt lives with his wife and two children in
Madrid and in Switzerland.
36
Anke Huber, Operating Tournament Director, on the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
“Every player is different. It makes it interesting”
Anke Huber is confident Angelique Kerber could go a long way at the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix. Maybe even successfully defend her title. “She certainly won’t be lacking
the necessary motivation and confidence,” said the Operating Tournament Director of
the long-standing event in Stuttgart. “When returning to a tournament you won the
previous year, you’re far more self-confident. You’re convinced you can win it for a
second time.”
Speaking ahead of the 39th edition of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, which she won
as a player in 1991 and 1994, she talked about...
...Angelique Kerber’s new role at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix:
“Angie will arrive at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix as the title-holder and the freshlycrowned Australian Open winner. She played the best tennis of her life in Melbourne
and fulfilled her dream of winning a Grand Slam. For many people, she’s obviously
now one of the favourites. She herself will also be aiming to go as far as possible in
the Porsche Arena especially as she’s a Porsche Brand Ambassador. I’m confident
she’ll do it. She certainly won’t be lacking the necessary motivation and confidence.
When returning to a tournament you won the previous year, you’re far more selfconfident. You’re convinced you can win it for a second time – above all when you’ve
just won a Grand Slam. “
...2016’s main draw field with numerous Top 10 stars:
“We’re delighted to once again have such a strong main draw field this year. Our spoilt
spectators expect such quality from the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. It’s so much nicer
being able to regularly present them with so many interesting stars. Having so many
Top 10 players is something we are also envied for worldwide by many bigger
tournaments.”
37
...the German players’ chances at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix:
“Angelique Kerber is for sure one of the favourites. I’m eager to see how Anna-Lena
Friedsam from the Porsche Talent Team gets on. She played superbly at the
Australian Open to reach the last 16. It was a real sensation. As for Andrea Petkovic,
one always has to have her on the cards when she’s playing well. Annika Beck is
someone who could well spring a surprise as could Carina Witthöft, who, after being
promoted to the Porsche Team Deutschland, will definitely be highly motivated.
They’re all in good form and love playing in Stuttgart. If the draw is kind to them, I feel
one or two other German players can, along with Angelique Kerber, go a long way.
...the enjoyment she has in her job as Operating Tournament Director:
“I’ve been dong the job now for 14 years and am still really enjoying it. Many things
have naturally changed in that time. Everything has become much more professional.
The players have to do far more than before, have numerous additional off-court
duties like for example press appointments or making themselves available for the
fans and sponsors. It obviously has an effect on my work at the interface between the
WTA, players and the tournament. But as I said, I still get great enjoyment out of it.”
...her contact to the players:
“Every player has a different personality and it’s what makes it all very interesting. I’ve
been able to build up a good relationship with most of the players over the years,
especially with those that are regulars here in Stuttgart. I however still have to get to
know some of the younger players that haven’t been here yet. I try as hard as I
possibly can to keep in contact with the players over the year. It means for example
that I regularly visit the US Open, am usually in Paris or at the WTA Finals. Though it
takes up a lot of time, especially as I have a lot on my plate as a mother of two
children, it’s all very worthwhile.”
*
Anke Huber has been the Operating Tournament Director of the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix since 2002. Born on 4 December 1974, the former No 4 on the WTA world
rankings made her professional debut in 1989. The stand-out match of her career was
38
the 1995 Masters final against Steffi Graf which she narrowly lost. One year later she
reached her only Grand Slam final at the Australian Open but was beaten by the then
world No 1 Monica Seles. She won a total of 12 WTA tournaments –
Schenectady/USA was the first in 1990 and the last came in Sopot/Poland in 2000. At
the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, she won the tournament in 1991 (against Martina
Navratilova) and again in 1994 (against Mary Pierce). She gave birth to a son in 2005
and then a girl in 2006. Anke Huber lives with her family in Frankenthal, Germany.
39
The Venue
The Porsche Arena
“The most beautiful hall in tennis”
When the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix celebrated its premier in Porsche Arena, not
only the visitors and players were visibly much taken by the scope of the new hall.
Laura Ceccarelli, the WTA supervisor, was also full of praise: “The Porsche Arena is
the most beautiful hall. I’ve been on the circuit for over 20 years and I’ve seen nothing
like it.”
Since 2006, Porsche has been cultivating its close relationship with women’s tennis in
the new arena situated in Stuttgart’s NeckarPark between the Gottlieb Daimler
Stadium and the Hanns Martin Schleyer Halle. Having acquired the naming rights for
20 years, the company has thus has not only avowed its allegiance to its “home city”
but also wants to embrace its communal responsibility. The people in Stuttgart and the
region should be offered attractive events in the Porsche Arena.
Porsche itself kicked off the action in the arena with the successful premiere of the
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix which was won by the Russian Nadia Petrova. It was
obvious right away that the special appeal of the multi-functional indoor arena, which
was opened in May 2006 after taking only 18 months to build, lies in its flexibility to
stage a whole range of events. The short changeover times make it a perfect location
for both sports events and shows. Capacity varies depending on the event – from
5,200 for ice hockey matches to 7,200 for boxing.
As there is an enormous video screen at one end of the Centre Court, the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix has comfortable seating for 4,400 spectators. The Porsche Arena
also provides the prestigious setting for Porsche’s Annual General Meeting.
40
The Venue
The court in the Porsche Arena
The latest technology
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will once again be played on the innovative Conipur
Pro Clay court in 2016. The surface in the Porsche Arena is state of the art in every
respect and offers major benefits for players and organisers alike.
At the start, it was all very experimental. A world class tournament indoors and on clay
– the WTA had not seen anything like it. Markus Günthardt took the chance and it was
not without its risks. However, the tournament director of the Porsche Tennis Grand
Prix was equal to the challenge. At first the world’s best tennis players were a little
sceptical when they walked out onto the clay for the first time in 2009 but then they
were thrilled by what they found. It meant the long-established Stuttgart tournament
had entered a new era and women’s tennis had a new attraction.
The development has continued. Both the players’ and the organisers’ experiences
have flowed back into the Conipur Pro Clay court upon which the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix has been played since 2014. The courts that have been built for the
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix consist of a 2.5 centimetre base layer made of crushed
tiles which is mixed with a special binding material and covered with finely crushed
brick. Almost 40 tons of crushed tiles and four tons of finely crushed brick go into the
making of the approximately 800 m² Centre Court.
Major advantages
The new system has major advantages. One is the outstanding playing conditions due
to the laser-controlled installation using a special machine guaranteeing a uniformly
hard and totally flat surface. It means the sliding and bounce characteristics are
consistent all over the court. Annoying bad bounces are virtually non-existent.
Particularly important for players – the surface reduces leg strain and therefore the risk
of injury.
41
Since the move to clay, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has become an important
stopover for the stars en route to the French Open in Paris. They can prepare for the
Grand Slam tournament on the Seine without having to endure any of the uncertainties
of the April weather. As for the playing qualities, the surface in the Porsche Arena is
almost 100 per cent identical with the courts in Roland Garros. Thanks to MST
(Moisture Storage Technology), it maintains a constant moisture level in the indoor
arena which in turn means the court remains dust-free and does not have to be
watered. MST is both environmentally-friendly and fully odour-less.
Outstanding playing conditions
Apart from its outstanding playing conditions, the surface also excels as a result of its
economic and ecological benefits: the surface can be laid within the space of 24 hours
which is an important factor due to the limited event changeover times available in the
Porsche Arena. Additionally, it is 100 per cent recyclable and can be used in road
construction. The technology therefore conserves the environment and reduces costs.
42
History
The story of a success
As one of the showpieces on the WTA Tour, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has
enjoyed rapid growth ever since the US teenager Tracy Austin won the premiere back
in Filderstadt in 1978. The friendly takeover of the tournament as the promoter by
Porsche in 2002 and the subsequent move to the Porsche Arena in 2006 marked the
beginning of a new era. Later, the change of surface to clay in 2009 was another step
into the future. Spectators at the long-established tournament have been able to watch
all the world stars live – from Steffi Graf to Martina Navratilova, from Gabriela Sabatini
to Martina Hingis, from Lindsay Davenport to Justine Henin and Serena Williams. In
2015, the Porsche Brand Ambassador Angelique Kerber became the third German to
have her name etched on the roll of honour roster after Anke Huber and Julia Görges.
43
History
Porsche and the WTA
The premiere was a step into the future. In moving to the newly-built Porsche Arena in
Stuttgart’s NeckarPark, a new era began for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in 2006.
Another step into a successful future was the change of surface to clay in 2009. The
time-honoured Stuttgart tournament has duly mastered the new challenge.
The world’s best tennis players have been coming to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
ever since 1978. As the most loyal sponsor within international women’s tennis,
Porsche has accompanied Europe’s oldest women’s indoor tournament right from the
very beginning. At the premiere in Filderstadt, America’s Tracy Austin, a 15-year-old
teenager with plaits and braces, advanced to become the crowd favourite and embark
on a brilliant career when she overcame Holland’s Betty Stove in the final. In 2002,
Porsche intensified its involvement with the world-renowned tournament and also took
on the role as organiser.
As far as tennis is concerned, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is a top highlight on the
WTA Tour. Virtually all the top stars come to Stuttgart every year. The quality of the
field is regularly of a Grand Slam level. The players feel very much at home in
Stuttgart and so much so that they voted the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix as their
favourite event in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015. And the Women’s
Tennis Association’s officials also appreciate the support given them by the successful
Stuttgart automobile manufacturer. In 2004 Porsche was distinguished with the “Long
Time Contribution Award” in recognition of the company’s long-standing involvement
as a sponsor and partner of the sport.
“For me, Stuttgart is without question a flagship event on the Tour and Porsche is a
perfect example of a partner that has truly invested in tennis. It has a long tradition.
There’s an obvious love of the game,” said the new WTA President Steve Simon.
Another very welcome guest and one that has been coming to Stuttgart for many
years, Laura Ceccarelli, the WTA Supervisor, added “Porsche is a fantastic partner
44
and the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has for many years not only been one of the best
tournaments worldwide but also one of the most innovative. It is so well organised that
many people around the world can learn from it which is why we regularly invite
organisers to Stuttgart. We always all really look forward to returning to the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix as a guest.”
45
Roll of Honour 1978 to 2015, Singles
Year
Winner
Finalist
Set 1
Set 2
Set 3
2015
Angelique Kerber
Caroline Wozniacki
3:6
6:1
7:5
2014
Maria Sharapova
Ana Ivanovic
3:6
6:4
6:1
2013
Maria Sharapova
Li Na
6:4
6:3
2013
Maria Sharapova
Victoria Azarenka
6:1
6:4
2011
Julia Görges
Caroline Wozniacki
7:6
6:3
2010
Justine Henin
Samantha Stosur
6:4
2:6
2009
Svetlana Kuznetsova
Dinara Safina
6:4
6:3
2008
Jelena Jankovic
Nadia Petrova
6:4
6:3
2007
Justine Henin
Tatiana Golovin
2:6
6:2
2006
Nadia Petrova
Tatiana Golovin
6:3
7:6
2005
Lindsay Davenport
Amélie Mauresmo
6:2
6:4
2004
Lindsay Davenport
Amélie Mauresmo
6:2
ret.
2003
Kim Clijsters
Justin Henin-Hardenne
5:7
6:4
6:2
2002
Kim Clijsters
Daniela Hantuchova
4:6
6:3
6:4
2001
Lindsay Davenport
Justine Henin
7:5
6:4
2000
Martina Hingis
Kim Clijsters
6:0
6:3
1999
Martina Hingis
Mary Pierce
6:4
6:1
1998
Sandrine Testud
Lindsay Davenport
7:5
6:4
1997
Martina Hingis
Lisa Raymond
6:4
6:2
1996
Martina Hingis
Anke Huber
6:2
3:6
1995
Iva Majoli
Gabriela Sabatini
6:4
7:6
1994
Anke Huber
Mary Pierce
6:4
6:2
1993
Mary Pierce
Natasha Zvereva
6:3
6:3
1992
Martina Navratilova
Gabriela Sabatini
7:6
6:3
1991
Anke Huber
Martina Navratilova
2:6
6:2
1990
Mary Joe Fernandez
Barbara Paulus
6:1
6:3
1989
Gabriela Sabatini
Mary Joe Fernandez
7:6
6:4
1988
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert-Mill
6:2
6:3
1987
Martina Navratilova
Chris Evert
7:5
6:1
1986
Martina Navratilova
Hana Mandlikova
6:2
6:3
1985
Pam Shriver
Catarina Lindqvist
6:1
7:5
1984
Catarina Lindqvist
Steffi Graf
6:1
6:4
1983
Martina Navratilova
Catherine Tanvier
6:1
6:2
1982
Martina Navratilova
Tracy Austin
6:3
6:3
1981
Tracy Austin
Martina Navratilova
4:6
6:3
1980
Tracy Austin
Sherry Acker
6:2
7:5
1979
Tracy Austin
Martina Navratilova
6:3
6:2
1978
Tracy Austin
Betty Stove
6:3
6:3
46
6:1
6:3
7:6
6:4
Roll of Honour 1978 to 2015, Doubles
Year
Winners
Set 1
Set 2
2015 Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Lucie Safarova Caroline Garcia / Katarina
6:4
6:3
2014 Sara Errani / Roberta Vinci
Cara Black / Sania Mirza
6:2
6:3
2013 Mona Barthel / Sabine Lisicki
Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Sania
6:4
7:5
2012 Iveta Benesova / Barbora Zahlavova-
Julia Görges / Anna-Lena
6:4
7:5
2011 Sabine Lisicki / Samantha Stosur
Kristina Barrois / Jasmin Woehr
6:1
7:6
2010 Gisela Dulko / Flavia Pennetta
Kveta Peschke / Katarina
3:6
7:6
10:5
2009 Bethanie Mattek-Sands / Nadia Petrova
Gisela Dulko / Flavia Pennetta
5:7
6:3
10:7
2008 Anna-Lena Groenefeld / Patty Schnyder
Kveta Peschke / Rennae Stubbs
6:2
6:4
2007 Kveta Peschke / Rennae Stubbs
Yung-Jan Chan / Dinara Safina
6:7
7:6
2006 Lisa Raymond / Samantha Stosur
Cara Black / Rennae Stubbs
6:3
6:4
2005 Daniela Hantuchova / Anastasia Myskina Kveta Peschke / Francesca
6:0
3:6
2004 Rennae Stubbs / Cara Black
Anna-Lena Grönefeld / Julia
6:3
6:2
2003 Lisa Raymond / Rennae Stubbs
Cara Black / Martina Navratilova
6:2
6:4
2002 Lindsay Davenport / Lisa Raymond
Meghann Shaugnessy / Paola
6:2
6:4
2001 Lindsay Davenport / Lisa Raymond
Justine Henin / Meghann
6:2
6:1
2000 Martina Hingis / Anna Kournikova
Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario / Barbara
6:4
6:2
1999 Chanda Rubin / Sandrine Testud
Larisa Neiland / Arantxa Sanchez-
6:3
6:4
1998 Lindsay Davenport / Natasha Zvereva
Anna Kournikova / Arantxa
6:4
6:2
1997 Martina Hingis / Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario Lindsay Davenport / Jana Novotna
7:6
3:6
1996 Nicole Arendt / Jana Novotna
Martina Hingis / Helena Sukova
6:2
6:3
1995 Gigi Fernandez / Natasha Zvereva
Meredith McGrath / Larisa Neiland
5:7
6:1
1994 Gigi Fernandez / Natalia Zvereva
Manon Bollegraf / Larisa Neiland
7:6
6:4
1993 Gigi Fernandez / Natalia Zvereva
Patty Fendick / Martina Navratilova
7:6
6:4
1992 Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario / Helena
Pam Shriver / Natalia Zvereva
6:4
7:5
1991 Martina Navratilova / Jana Novotna
Pam Shriver / Natalia Zvereva
6:2
5:7
1990 Mary Joe Fernandez / Zina Garrison
Mercedes Paz / Arantxa Sanchez-
7:5
6:3
1989 Gigi Fernandez / Robin White
Elna Reinach / Raffaella Reggi
6:4
7:6
1988 Martina Navratilova / Iwona Kuczynska
Elna Reinach / Raffaella Reggi
6:1
6:4
1987 Martina Navratilova / Pam Shriver
Zina Garrison / Lori McNeil
6:1
6:2
Zina Garrison / Gabriela Sabatini
7:6
6:4
1985 Hana Mandlikova / Pam Shriver
Carina Karlsson / Tine Scheuer-
6:2
6:1
1984 Claudia Kohde / Helena Sukova
Bettina Bunge / Eva Pfaff
6:4
3:6
1983 Martina Navratilova / Candy Reynolds
Virginia Ruzici / Catherine Tanvier
6:2
6:1
Candy Reynolds / Anne Smith
6:2
6:3
1981 Mima Jausovec / Martina Navratilova
Barbara Potter / Anne Smith
6:4
6:2
1980 Hana Mandlikova / Betty Stove
Anne Smith / Kathy Jordan
6:4
7:5
1979 Billie-Jean King / Martina Navratilova
Wendy Turnbull / Betty Stove
6:3
6:3
1978 Tracy Austin / Betty Stove
Mima Jausovec / Virginia Ruzici
6:3
6:2
Finalists
47
Set 3
1:0
7:5
7:6
6:4
6:4
6:2
Porsche Team Germany
New dynamics
Porsche has been the Premium Partner of the Deutsche Tennis Bund (DTB – German
Tennis Association) and the sponsor of Porsche Team Germany. This season, Mona
Barthel, Annika Beck, Julia Görges, Anna-Lena Grönefeld, Angelique Kerber, Sabine
Lisicki, Andrea Petkovic and Carina Witthöft all belong to the team captained by
national coach Barbara Rittner.
Women’s tennis in Germany has enjoyed a new dynamism ever since Porsche started
its commitment. In 2014 Porsche Team Germany, spearheaded by Porsche Brand
Ambassador Angelique Kerber, reached the Fed Cup final for the first time in 22 years.
Porsche Team Germany players also won five WTA tournaments in 2015: Angelique
Kerber won in Charleston, Stuttgart, Birmingham and Stanford, Annika Beck was
successful in Quebec. The successes were added to at the start of the 2016 season at
the Australian Open by Angelique Kerber’s magnificent first ever Grand Slam win.
The cooperation between the DTB and Porsche, which also includes the support given
to hopeful up-and-coming players in the Porsche Talent Team Germany, has resulted
in German women’s tennis reaching a new level. “We want German players to also be
successful as a team,” said Dr Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of
Porsche AG. Also close to Porsche’s heart is the development of Germany’s junior
players. The success of the top players will also rub off onto the many talented
youngsters. “Playing tennis is far more fun for youngsters when they have role models.
We want to play our part in making sure there are such role models in the future too,”
continued Dr Oliver Blume.
48
Committed to supporting juniors
The partnership with the Deutsche Tennis Bund is an essential part of Porsche’s
sponsoring concept of which the advancement of juniors plays an important role.
Under the “Motto for Talents”, Porsche thus supports the junior activities at various
sports clubs in places where Porsche has facilities.
49
Porsche Team Germany - Bio
Mona Barthel
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
11 July 1990
Bad Segeberg, Germany
Neumünster, Germany
1.85 m
Right-handed
Current WTA ranking (as of 21.3.2016)
Singles: 61
Career highlights (selection)
2016 Quarterfinalist Hobart
2015 Finalist Luxembourg, Bastad, 2nd round Australian Open, quarterfinalist
Antwerp, 2nd round Indian Wells
2014 Win Bastad, semifinalist Luxembourg, 3rd round Australian Open,
2nd round Wimbledon
2013 Win Paris, finalist Hobart, semifinalist Auckland, last 16 Indian Wells, Doha,
Cincinnati, Washington DC, Bad Gastein, Birmingham, 2nd round, Wimbledon,
US Open
2012 Win Hobart, semifinalist Bastad, quarterfinalist Stuttgart, Paris, Copenhagen, 3rd
round Australian Open, Miami
2011 2nd round French Open, US Open, semifinalist Copenhagen, ITF wins
Andrezieux, Mestre, Shrewsbury, ITF finalist Sutton, Bronx
2010 ITF wins Wrexham, Torhout, ITF semifinalist Bratislava
Fed Cup (since 2013)
Rubbers played Record
Overall 2
1:1
Singles: 2
1:1
Doubles: 0
0:0
Homepage: www.mona-barthel.de
Twitter: @MonaBarthel
50
Annika Beck
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
16 February 1994
Giessen, Germany
Bonn, Germany
1.70 m
Right-handed
Singles: 40
2016 Last 16 Australian Open
2015 Win Quebec, finalist Florianopolis, quarterfinalist S’-Hertogenbosch, Bad
Gastein, Taschkent 2nd round Miami
2014 Win Luxembourg, 3rd round Indian Wells, 3rd round Doha, 2nd round Australian
Open, semi-finalist Shenzhen, quarterfinalist s-Hertogenbosch
2013 Finalist Luxemburg, semifinalist Katowice, quarterfinalist Bad Gastein,
Budapest, Nuremberg, Shenzen, 2nd round Australian Open
2012 Win French Open Juniors, 1st round Wimbledon, ITF wins Moscow,
Barnstaple, Ismaning, Shrewsbury, Koksijde, Versmold
2011 ITF semifinalist Helsinki, Shrewsbury, Darmstadt, Stockholm, Andrezieux
Overall: 2
1:1
Singles: 1
1:0
Doubles: 1
0:1
Twitter: @BeckAnnika
51
Julia Görges
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
2 November 1988
Bad Oldesloe, Germany
Bad Oldesloe/Hannover, Germany
1.80 m
Right-handed
Singles: 66
2016 Finalist Auckland, doubles finalist Indian Wells
2015 Last 16 Australian Open, French Open, quarterfinalist Auckland, Kuala
Lumpur, doubles semifinalist Australian Open
2014 Semifinalist Pattaya, Quebec, quarterfinalist Strasbourg, mixed finalist French
Open
2013 Last 16 Australian Open, Stuttgart, Charleston, New Haven, Brussels,
Nuremberg, Auckland
2012 Finalist Dubai, Linz, quarterfinalist Paris, Barcelona, Palermo, last 16
Australian Open, Indian Wells, Auckland; doubles finalist Auckland, Stuttgart,
Linz
2011 Win Stuttgart, 3rd round Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon,
US Open, semifinalist Auckland, Madrid, Luxembourg, quarterfinalist
Charleston, Seoul; doubles finalist Bad Gastein, Linz
2010 Win Bad Gastein, finalist Luxemburg, semifinalist Palermo, quarterfinalist
Strasbourg, Copenhagen, Linz, last 16 Pattaya, Ponte Vedra Beach, Estoril,
Quebec, Tokyo; doubles win Copenhagen, Seoul
Overall: 16
8:8
Singles: 9
4:5
Doubles: 7
4:3
Homepage: www.julia-goerges.com
Twitter: @juliagoerges
52
Anna-Lena Grönefeld
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
4 June 1985
Nordhorn, Germany
Hannover, Germany
1.80 metres:
Right-handed
Current WTA ranking (As of 21.3.2016)
Doubles: 29
2016 Doubles win San Antonio
2015 Doubles semifinalist Auckland, Australian Open, US Open, New Haven
2014 Win mixed French Open, doubles win Paris, Doubles semifinalist Rome
2013 Doubles win Brussels, doubles finalist Brisbane, Cincinnati, Toronto, Nürnberg,
doubles semifinalist Wimbledon, Eastbourne, Doha
2012 Doubles win Linz, doubles finalist Paris, Stuttgart, Bad Gastein, Tokio, doubles
semifinalist Doha, Eastbourne
2011 Doubles finalist Monterrey, Linz
2010 Doubles win Kopenhagen, doubles finalist Monterrey, doubles semifinalist
Sydney, Bad Gastein
2009 Win mixed Wimbledon, doubles win Brisbane, Linz
2008 Doubles win Stuttgart, Quebec, doubles finalist Zürich
2007 Doubles win Sydney
2006 Singles win Acapulco, doubles win Pattaya, Toronto, Bali, doubles finalist San
Diego, Toronto, Luxemburg
2005 Doubles win Pattaya, Toronto, Bali, Acapulco, Stanford, singles finalist Pattaya,
Peking, Luxemburg
Overall: 34
19:15
Singles: 18
11:7
Doubles: 16
8:8
Homepage: www.annalenagroenefeld.com
Twitter: @Annagroenefeld
53
Angelique Kerber
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
18 January 1988
Bremen, Germany
Puszczykowo, Poland
1.73 m
Left-handed
Singles: 3
2016 Win Australian Open, finalist Brisbane
2015 Win Charleston, Stuttgart, Birmingham, Stanford, finalist Hong Kong,
semifinalist Sydney, Nuremberg, Wuhan, quarterfinalist Brisbane, Tokyo,
Peking, 3rd round Miami, Dubai, 1 win at WTA Finals
2014 Quarterfinalist Wimbledon, last 16 Australian Open, French Open, finalist
Sydney, Doha, Eastbourne, Stanford, semifinalist Tokyo, quarterfinalist
Brisbane, Paris, Miami, Nuremberg, Wuhan
2013 Win Linz, finalist Tokyo, Monterrey, semifinalist Sydney, Indian Wells, Stuttgart,
quarterfinalist Brisbane, Madrid, Washington DC, Beijing, last 16 Australian
Open, French Open, US Open
2012 Semifinalist Wimbledon, quarterfinalist French Open, last 16 US Open, win
Paris, Copenhagen, finalist Eastbourne, Cincinnati, semifinalist Indian Wells,
Hobart and Auckland, 3rd round Australian Open
2011 Semifinalist US Open, Dallas, Osaka, quarterfinalist Hobart, doubles semifinalist
Osaka
2010 3rd round Australian Open, Wimbledon, finalist Bogota, semifinalist
Luxemburg, quarterfinalist Fes, Copenhagen, last 16 Ponte Vedra Beach,
Charleston, Birmingham, Peking
Overall: 19
10:9
Singles: 19
10:9
Doubles: 0
0:0
Homepage: www.angelique kerber.de
Twitter: @AngeliqueKerber
54
Sabine Lisicki
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
22 September 1989
Troisdorf, Germany
Bradenton, Florida
1.78 m
Right-handed
Singles: 37
2016 2nd round Australian Open
2015 Semifinalist Indian Wells, Birmingham, quarterfinalist US Open, Miami, last 16
Toronto, 3rd round French Open, doubles win Brisbane
2014 Quarterfinalist Wimbledon, 3rd round US Open, win Hong Kong, doubles
win Miami
2013 Finalist Wimbledon, Pattaya, Memphis, semifinalist Luxemburg
2012 Quarterfinalist Wimbledon, last 16 Australian Open, quarterfinalist in Dubai,
Charleston, Auckland,
2011 Semifinalist Wimbledon, last 16 US Open, win Birmingham, Dallas,
semifinalist Stanford, Bali, quarterfinalist Stuttgart, Carlsbad; doubles finalist
Wimbledon, doubles win Stuttgart
2010 2nd round Australian Open, US Open
Overall: 15
10:5
Singles: 10
5:5
Doubles: 5
5:0
Homepage: www.sabinelisicki.com
Twitter: @sabinelisicki
55
Andrea Petkovic
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
Plays:
9 September 1987
Tuzla, Bosnia
Darmstadt, Germany
1.80 m
Right-handed
Singles: 21
2016 semifinalist Doha, quarterfinalist Brisbane
2015 Win Antwerp, semifinalist Miami, Charleston, quarterfinalist Doha, Eastbourne,
3rd round French Open, Wimbledon, US Open, last 16 Toronto, Cincinnati,
Peking,
2014 Semifinalist French Open, 3rd round Wimbledon, US Open, win
Charleston, Bad Gastein, Sofia, semifinalist Stanford, quarterfinalist Paris,
Strasbourg, doubles semifinalist Wimbledon
2013 Finalist Washington DC, Nuremberg
2012 Semifinalist Luxemburg, quarterfinalist Brisbane
2011 Win Strasbourg, finalist Brisbane, Peking, semifinalist Miami, Carlsbad,
Cincinnati, quarterfinalist Australian Open, French Open, US Open, Paris,
Stuttgart, Toronto. Winner of the Fed Cup Heart Award.
2010 Last 16 US Open, finalist ’s Hertogenbosch, semifinalist Brisbane, Istanbul,
Linz, quarterfinalist Paris
Overall: 17
13:8
Singles: 14
11:5
Doubles: 3
2:3
Homepage: www.andreapetkovic.de
Twitter: @andreapetkovic
56
Carina Witthöft
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
16 February 1995
Hamburg, Germany
Der Club an der Alster
Right-handed
Singles: 82
2015 3rd round Australian Open, 2nd round French Open, quarterfinalist Nuremberg,
Kuala Lumpur, ITF wins Versmold, Altenkirchen, Cagnes sur Mer
2014 1st round Australian Open, ITF win Jou les Tours, Saint Malo, Barnstaple,
Hechingen, ITF finalist Shrewsbury, Aschaffenburg, Stuttgart Vaihingen,
ITFsemifinalist Versmold, Preston
2013 1st round Wimbledon, ITF win Hechingen, ITF finalist Alphen a/d Rijn, Sutton,
ITF semifinalist Bad Saulgau
2012 ITF win Ystad, Wrexham, ITF finalist Bad Saulgau
2011 ITF win Zell am Hammersbach, ITF finalist Horb, ITF semifinalist Hechingen,
Bastad
2010 ITF semifinalist Braunschweig
57
Barbara Rittner
Head Coach
Date of birth:
Birthplace:
Residence:
Height:
25 April 1973
Krefeld, Germany
Cologne, Germany
1.73 m
Highest world ranking
Singles: 24 (1.2.1993)
2002 Doubles win Dubai
2001 Win Antwerp; doubles win Estoril
1995 Finalist Linz
1993 Finalist San Marino
1992 Fed Cup win; win Schenectady; doubles win Essen
1991 Finalist St. Petersburg
Fed Cup (1991 2004)
Overall: 41
19:22
Singles: 17
9:8
Doubles: 24
10:14
Homepage: www.barbara rittner.de
Twitter: @BarbaraRittner
58
Porsche Talent Team Germany
Impressive youngsters
As a Premium Partner of the Deutsche Tennis Bund (DTB – German Tennis
Association), Porsche has been supporting the country’s best up-and-coming women
players within the Porsche Talent Team Germany set-up since 2012. The team
members this season are Anna-Lena Friedsam, Katharina Gerlach, Katharina
Hobgarski, Antonia Lottner, Lena Rüffer and Irina Cantos Siemers.
“For us, it is important to not only support Porsche Team Germany in the Fed Cup. We
also want to help promising juniors develop and accompany young players on their
way to the top. The Porsche Talent Team Germany is therefore a project that is very
dear to our hearts,” said Dr Oliver Blume, Chairman of the Executive Board of Porsche
AG.
The Deutsche Tennis Bund also sees the Porsche Talent Team Germany as being an
important step on the road to establishing German women’s tennis at the top in the
long term. The development curve for the supported players continues to point
upwards. Highly impressive above all was Anna-Lena Friedsam – the reigning German
champion reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam for the first time at the Australian Open
in January 2016. The success has left her on the verge of breaking into the top 50.
The primary intention behind the sponsorship of Porsche and the DTB is to make the
set-up for talented juniors more professional whereby the focus is on enhancing
individual coaching and guidance both when practicing and at tournaments. The
examples of Annika Beck and Carina Witthöft are proof that the concept is a success.
During her time within the Porsche Talent Team Germany fold, Annika Beck won the
junior competition at the 2012 French Open and was afterwards made a member of
the senior Porsche Team Germany. In the meantime, on top of winning two titles on
the WTA Tour she has also won her first Fed Cup rubber. Carina Witthöft, who was
also supported within the Porsche Talent Team Germany set-up, has now also been
59
promoted to Porsche Team Germany as a result of her excellent performances.
A season highlight for the Porsche Talent Team Germany players will again be the
Porsche Tennis Grand Prix this year. “Everything comes full circle at the tournament,”
said Barbara Rittner, the Porsche Team Germany captain. “In Stuttgart, our players
can gain valuable experience in the strong qualifying tournament and can learn from
the world’s top players.”
The support for the Porsche Talent Team Germany and the Porsche Team Germany
is an essential part of Porsche’s sponsoring concept of which the advancement of
juniors plays an important role. Under the motto “Turbo for Talents”, Porsche thus
supports junior activities at various sports clubs in places where Porsche has facilities.
60
Porsche Talent Team Germany - Bio
Anna-Lena Friedsam
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
1 February 1994
Oberdürenbach, Germany
BASF TC Ludwigsburg
Right-handed
Singles: 52
2016 Finalist San Antonio, Last 16 Australian Open, semifinalist Shenzhen, Promoted
to Porsche Team Germany for the Fed Cup tie against Switzerland
2015 Finalist Linz, 2nd round French Open, Wimbledon, quarterfinalist Limoges,
Tashkent, Nantes, win ITF Ilkley
2014 Win Suzhou, semifinalist Linz, Taipei, 1st round French Open, 1st round
Wimbledon, semifinalist ITF Astana, quarterfinalist ITF Versmold
2013 Quarterfinalist Nanjing, ITF wins Loughborough, Trabzon, Kazan, Sunderland,
German champion, semifinalist ITF Limoges, Moscow
2012 ITF wins Astana, Velenje, Maribor, Padua, Aschaffenburg, Charleroi, ITF finalist
Antalya-Belconti
61
Katharina Gerlach
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
19 February 1998
Kamen, Germany
THC im VfL Bochum
Right-handed
Current DTB U18 ranking (as of 21.3.2016):
Singles: 1
2015 Finalist ITF Vienna
2014 German U16 singles and doubles champion, German U18 indoor doubles
champion
2013 Win ITF junior tournament in Hamburg, win doubles ITF junior tournaments in
Hillegorn/Netherlands and Bruchköbel/Germany
2012 German indoor U14 singles and doubles champion, 3rd place U14 World Team
Championships
2011 German U14 singles and doubles champion
2010 German U12 singles champion, winner TE U14 Belgium
62
Katharina Hobgarski
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
18 June 1997
Freisen-Haupersweiler, Germany
BASF TC Ludwigshafen
Right-handed
Current DTB ranking (as of 21.3.2016):
Singles: 20
2016 Quarterfinalist ITF Stuttgart-Stammheim
2015 Doubles finalist Australian Open (juniors), finalist ITF El Kantaoui (1),
semifinalist ITF El Kantaoui (2), quarterfinalist ITF Bol, winner German U18
indoor championship
2014 Singles finalist and doubles win IGTA Junior Cup in Bochum, singles win and
doubles finalist Luxembourg Outdoor Junior Open
2013 Singles and doubles win ITF tournament Bavarian Open U18 in Nuremberg,
singles win ITF tournament Luxembourg Indoor Open U18, singles win U18
Saarland Indoor Championships, singles win ITF Head Cup U18 tournament in
Bruchköbel, singles win ITF tournament Sundays Luxembourg Outdoor Open,
German junior doubles champion, German U16 indoor champion
63
Antonia Lottner
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
13 August 1996
Düsseldorf, Germany
TEC Waldau Stuttgart
Right-handed
Singles: 312
2016 Semifinalist ITF Grenoble
2015 ITF win Stuttgart-Stammheim, finalist ITF Altenkirchen, semifinalist ITF Kaarst,
Kirkland, Stuttgart-Vaihingen
2014 Doubles semifinalist Stuttgart, German champion, ITF win Braunschweig, ITF
finalist Westende-Middelkerke, ITF doubles win Sharm El Sheikh, ITF doubles
finalist Hechingen
2013 Quarterfinalist junior Australian Open, ITF win Cologne,
Macon, ITF semifinalist Stuttgart-Vaihingen, ITF doubles win Macon
2012 Semifinalist junior French Open, junior US Open, ITF win Darmstadt,
International German Junior Champion
2011 ITF win Stockholm, German U16 champion
64
Lena Rüffer
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
23 August 1998
Berlin, Germany
TEC Waldau Stuttgart
Right-handed
Singles: 2
Career highlights (selection):
2015 ITF quarterfinalist Kaarst, semifinalist German U18 indoor Championships
2014 ITF quarterfinalist Stuttgart-Stammheim, North German women’s champion in
singles and doubles, German U16 indoor singles champion, German indoor
U18 doubles champion
2013 Singles semifinalist and doubles win at ITF junior tournament in Hamburg
2012 German U14 doubles champion, 3rd World U14 Team Championship
65
Irina Cantos Siemers
Date of birth:
Residence:
Club:
Plays:
2 January 2000
Barcelona, Spain
TC Blau Weiss Vaihingen/Rohr
Left-handed
Singles: 2
2016 Doubles win ITF Unmag, semifinalist ITF juniors Vestec
2015 Semifinalist ITF juniors Nottingham, quarterfinalist ITF juniors Sanxenxo, ITF
juniors Offenbach, Prato
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Contacts
Media contacts
Viktoria Wohlrapp
Director of Sports Communications
Porscheplatz 1
70435 Stuttgart
Tel: + 49 711 911-28099
Mobile: +49 170 911-4979
[email protected]
Markus Rothermel
Porsche Sports Communications
Porscheplatz 1
70435 Stuttgart
Tel: + 49 711 911-25117
Mobile: +49 170 911-0779
[email protected]
Claus-Peter Andorka
C3 Stuttgart Creative Code and Content GmbH
Tournament Spokesman
Tel: +49 (0)711-900-510
Mobile: +49 (0)172-6911-517
During the tournament, Claus-Peter Andorka will be your on-site contact in the Press
Centre in the Porsche Arena.
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Sponsors
Bose
Performance and excellence are two things shared by Bose and the world’s top
women tennis players. Therefore, Bose is excited to work with its long-term partner
Porsche AG and be part of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix again in 2016. Bose will
digitally connect the players and their fans and in doing so play a part in making the
tournament a worldwide success. And naturally offer innovative audio demonstrations.
Whether it’s behind-the-scenes player videos, fantastic opportunities to test – and
possibly win – the latest Bose products in the Sports & Lifestyle Village, or live music
performances in VIP lounges - Bose delivers memorable experiences to all tennis
fans.
Bose Corporation was founded in 1964 by Dr. Amar G. Bose, then a professor of
electrical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Right up until the present day, the company is driven by its founding principles,
investing in long-term research with one fundamental goal: to develop new
technologies with real customer benefits.
Bose® innovations have for decades made a distinctive mark on a number of
industries and initiated new developments in Audi Technik and other sectors. Bose
products for the home, in the car, on the go and in stadiums and arenas have become
iconic and have changed the way people listen to music.
Bose Corporation is privately held. The company’s spirit of invention, passion for
excellence, and commitment to the highest degree of customer satisfaction can be
found around the world -- everywhere where Bose does business.
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Sponsors
CONICA AG
After the successful premier in 2009, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix will turn to the
quality product from Schaffhausen, Switzerland for the eighth time in 2016. The
innovative tennis surface CONIPUR PRO CLAY made by CONICA is similar to the
clay courts at Roland Garros – a fact much appreciated by the players. When
preparing for the Grand Slam in Paris, the system aids top class performances and
helps prevent injuries as a result of the consistent ball bounce, optimal sliding and
cushioning properties.
The CONIPUR PRO CLAY system consists of a base layer made of crushed tiles
mixed with a special binding material. In contrast to a normal clay court which has an
approximately 50 - 60 cm high base, the court is only 2.5 cm thick. Finely crushed
brick is spread on top of the base. In addition to its excellent properties, CONIPUR
PRO CLAY can be laid very quickly and is ready for use within the space of 24 hours.
At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, like when installing indoor courts generally, the clay
is treated with a special environmentally-friendly and odourless oil which draws
moisture from the air. The court therefore doesn’t have to be watered and it retains
optimal moisture levels at all times – dust is therefore a thing of the past.
As it can be played on throughout the year and as it needs only little maintenance, an
increasing number of club officials are turning to CONIPUR PRO CLAY. The system is
already being successfully used in eleven countries.
Since 1977, CONICA AG has, in Schaffhausen, Switzerland, been developing,
producing and selling reliable, high quality systems and products for the construction
of sports surfaces in all of the world’s climatic zones. The range of products includes
intelligent system solutions for indoor and outdoor athletics tracks, multi-function
facilities as well as sports and multi-purpose halls and tennis courts. The
comprehensive portfolio is rounded off by products for artificial turf surfaces, children’s
playgrounds and EPDM and black granulates. Today, CONICA is the world leader in
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synthetic running track systems. In addition to sports surfaces, CONICA also produces
liquid plastics and components for industrial flooring, surface protection and car park
systems decks as well as water-permeable systems for urban areas.
CONICA stands for technical expertise, exceptional product quality and
comprehensive customer service. “Everything from a single source”. At CONICA, we
take this motto literally. From individual product components that are fully compatible
with one another, to complete polyurethane surface solutions, our clients can choose
from a wide range of solutions.
Press contact:
Hans-Jochen Erb
Head of Global Marketing Communications
Tel: +41 (0) 52 644 3691
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Sponsors
FILA
FILA showing its new collection at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
FILA is this year once again a part of the most important WTA tennis tournament in
Germany, the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, as an equipment partner.
For over 100 years now, Fila has been one of the established brands in the sports
world and is represented within the European clothes market by a large range of
products in the sport and lifestyle sectors of which it is an integral part.
Especially in the tennis world, FILA can not only look back at an eventful heritage
centering on the legends Björn Borg, Adriano Panatta and Boris Becker. Inspired by
one of the greatest players of all time, Björn Borg, FILA has, with immediate effect,
begun the launch of its FILA ID collection. Björn Borg was well-known for having his
initials embroidered onto his FILA tennis clothing. In time for the outdoor tennis
season, everybody can now have his or her FILA tennis outfit from a selected tennis
collection adorned with his own initials.
When choosing their favourite new piece of clothing from the FILA BE INDIVIDUAL
collection, tennis players’ hearts everywhere will start beating higher as the collection
includes training jackets, tops, shirts, pants and shorts as well as skorts.
Visitors to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix have the chance to buy a piece of clothing
from the FILA BE INDIVIDUAL tennis collection at the FILA promotional stand and
then have it personalised free of charge.
The FILA ID Collection is also available from May onwards at the FILA online shop at
www.fila.de.
FILA
FILA is one of the world’s leading sport and lifestyle brands. The history of the brand
began over a century ago with the FILA brothers in Biella, Italy. FILA has attained
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global renown in the world of sports as a result of the top quality and stylish design of
its products which are worn by professional athletes everywhere.
Further information about FILA at:
www.fila.de
Facebook.com/FilaDeutschland
Instagram.com/filagermany
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Sponsors
Rado
Rado is a globally recognised brand, famous for innovative design and its use of
revolutionary materials to create some of the world’s most durable watches. Ever since
its beginnings in Lengnau, Switzerland, Rado has had a pioneering spirit, with the
brand philosophy “if we can imagine it, we can make it” still holding true today.
Rado has been committed to the tennis world for decades. In 2015 the brand launched
the Rado YoungStars programme, which supports young up-and-coming players along
their journey to the top. The objective is to create an international team of talented,
ambitious players to build the next generation of tennis pros. German tennis player
Carina Witthöft is a member of the Rado YoungStars team. Rado is also proud to be
represented by brand Agnieszka Radwanska, one of the world’s top women’s tennis
players.
Press contact:
THE SWATCH GROUP (DEUTSCHLAND) GmbH, Division Rado
Evelyn Holbach
Phone: +49 (6173) 606-304
Fax: +49 (6173) 606-302
Email: [email protected]
www.rado.com
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Sponsors
Turkish Airlines
Established in 1933 with a fleet of only five airplanes, Star Alliance member Turkish
Airlines is today a four-star airline with a fleet of more than 300 aircraft (passenger and
cargo) flying to over 280 cities around the world. One of the fastest growing airlines, it
has received several “Passenger Choice Awards”from Airline Passenger Experience
Association (APEX). According to the 2015 Skytrax survey, Turkish Airlines is named
as "Europe's Best Airline" for five and "Best Airline in Southern Europe" for seven
consecutive years. Having won in 2010 the world's "Best Economy Catering Service",
in 2013 the world's "Best Business Catering Service", and in 2014 "Best Business
Catering Service" awards, Turkish Airlines was
awarded with the world's "Best
Business Class Lounge Dining" and "Best Business Airline Lounge" prizes in the
Skytrax survey.
Turkish Airlines flies to more countries in the world than any other airline (110
countries.)
Turkish Airlines Quality
In order to keep alive its brand equity, which provides a serious advantage in terms of
competition, Turkish Airlines invests in its quality of service, in-flight entertainment
systems, comfortable seats, gourmet cuisine and its employees. Turkish Airlines is
always on the forefront of the latest technological advances and innovations in the
aviation industry and boasts one of the youngest fleets. As the airline expands its
routes and number of aircraft, continuous training of its employees is of the utmost
importance in insuring the safety of its passengers.
Turkish Airlines currently holds a four-star ranking and consistently strives to secure a
five-star ranking.
Turkish Airlines understands the responsibility of being a pioneer within the industry,
and is determined to carry out its mission moving forward. Furthermore it maintains its
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goal of becoming a regional leader and a prominent global airline, preferred for its
unparalleled service, superior quality, trustworthiness and reliability.
In addition to Europe, Turkish Airlines is also strategically expanding its network into
Russia, Central Asia, Far East Asia, the Middle East, Africa and North and South
America. As one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, Turkish Airlines holds a
strategic position between the East and West.
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Sponsors
Walter Knoll AG & Co. KG
“True values of living” – Walter Knoll creates living spaces. With masterly
craftsmanship, exquisite materials and sustainable design. Furniture from Walter Knoll
fulfils the desire for quality of life. For the last 150 years. For the global lifestyle of
today.
Walter Knoll is seen as being the furniture brand of the modernity. The history of the
Knoll family began in 1865 with a “leather shop” in Stuttgart. Since then the company
continues to make its mark on design history and has created classic pieces and icons
of the avant-garde. The company has grown continually since the end of the last
century and has enjoyed a tenfold improvement in performance. Today it is a leading
manufacturer in the international high-end segment of furnishing.
Together with renowned architects and designers, including Norman Foster and
PearsonLloyd from Great Britain, EOOS from Austria, Ben van Berkel from the
Netherlands, Kengo Kuma from Japan and Toan Nguyen and Claudio Bellini from
Italy, the company creates furniture and furnishes the interiors of buildings worldwide.
For corporate offices, social and public buildings and brand worlds. Furnished
buildings range from the European Central Bank in Frankfurt to the King Abdullah
University of Science and Technology in Saudi-Arabian, from a restaurant in
Stockholm to a conference room in Tokyo, from the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston
and banks in Dubai to the Hearst Building in New York. Over 120 international design
awards over the last fifteen years bear witness to the design competence of the
company.
Press contact
Tamara Karcher
Tel: +49 (0) 7032/208-0
www.walterknoll.de
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Sponsors
Württembergische Versicherung AG
Financial security when one needs long-term care
In most cases, the need for nursing care comes suddenly. Particularly affected are
people more advanced in years but younger people may also require long term care at
a day’s notice after an accident or illness. Over 2.6 million people in Germany are
dependent on care.
The support people needing care receive from the state is gradually improving but it is
nowhere near being sufficient to cover resulting costs. An example: persons needing
long term care in accordance with care level III of the nursing care insurance that live
in a care home or are cared for by professional carers in their own homes receive a
maximum of 1,612 euro monthly. The average costs for a place at a care home
however total about 3,300 euro every month whilst the monthly cost for professional
help at home comes to more than 4,000 euro. The difference between the actual
nusing care costs have to be financed by the persons requiring care themselves.
Should one’s pension not cover costs then one’s assets will be used to pay the
difference. And should it also not be enough, parents or children will be liable to a
certain extent.
To soften hardship in cases of people needing long term care, the Württembergische
Versicherung recommends people take out a private long-term nursing care insurance
policy at an early age. The need for nursing care is, for those affected and their next of
kin, a heavy burden. Having to restrict oneself financially because the nursing care
costs are higher than expected can be avoided by taking out the right insurance.
Basically when one begins paying into a private insurance scheme at an early age,
contributions are significantly lower. Those deciding in favour of the
Württembergische’s PremiumPlus tariff combined with a 50 euro daily allowance pay a
monthly rate of just 20.50 euro.
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The Württembergische belongs to the Wüstenrot & Württembergische-Gruppe (W&W)
and is therefore a part of the assurance specialists for the four building blocks of
modern assurance: financial security, residential ownership, risk protection and capital
accumulation. The Stuttgart-based W&W Group was created after the long-established
Wüstenrot and Württembergische companies merged in 1999 and unites the building
society and insurance sectors as two equally important pillars. In this way every
customer can be offered a tailored assurance solution. The W&W Group’s
approximately six million customers value the service quality, the expertise and the
close contact they have with the 7,000 office-based employees and the 6,000
representatives in the field in Germany. Thanks to a wide network of cooperation and
partner agencies as well as broking and direct activities, the W&W Group can reach
more than 40 million people in Germany. The W&W Group is intent on continuing its
growth in the future and has already today established itself as the biggest
independent financial services provider in Baden Württemberg and the one with the
biggest customer base.
Press contact:
Dörte Lochner
Wüstenrot & Württembergische AG
Communikation
Tel: +49-(0)711-662-724038
Internet: www.ww-ag.com
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Premium Partner
Avis
As the exclusive car rental partner of Porsche, the Avis car rental service has been
offering the whole range of models from the luxury Stuttgart car maker for the past 20
years within its Presitge fleet. Fans of the Stuttgart luxury brand can choose their
favourite car from the Avis programme ranging from the sporty Porsche 911 Coupé, to
the compact Macan and the highly impressive Cayenne. Whether for one day or a
whole weekend, the Avis Prestige fleet promises the whole spectrum of first class
driving pleasure.
Those seeking an exclusive idea for a present can give driving pleasure in the form
of a gift voucher. Further information at http://www.avis.de/porsche.
Avis Car Rental operates one of the world's best-known car rental brands with
approximately 5,500 locations in more than 165 countries. Avis stands for a long
history of innovation in the car rental industry and is one of the world's top brands
for customer loyalty. Avis is owned by Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: CAR),
which operates and licenses the brand throughout the world. Avis has been moving
people in Germany since 1965 – with currently approximately 330 stations.
A 24/7 car booking service and the latest information is available at www.avis.de, on
the telephone at +49 1805 / 55 77 55 (0.20 €/call from a German landline / mobile
max. 0.60 €/call) or mobile via one of the Avis Apps – www.avis.de/mobile.
Press contact:
Weber Shandwick
Nalan Demiröz
Tel: + 49 221 94 99 18-70
Fax: + 49 221 94 99 18-10
Email:[email protected]
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Premium Partner
Babolat
In 1875, Pierre Babolat invented the tennis string and founded, in Lyon, what is today
the oldest internationally-operating company in the racket sports sector. The brand is
currently the number one for tennis rackets in USA and Europa as well as being the
number two in Japan. Now in its fifth generation, the family-run business equips fans
and enthusiasts of the racket sports tennis, badminton and padel with the whole range
of gear: rackets, strings and wristbands for connected tennis, shoes, balls, bags,
apparel and accessories. In launching Babolat PLAY in 2013, Babolat introduced an
innovation onto the market that has changed the game – the first connected tennis
racket worldwide. Babolat is the official racket and string supplier for numerous players
like Rafael Nadal (SPA, connected racket Pure Aero PLAY), Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
(FRA), Caroline Wozniacki (DK, connected racket Pure Aero PLAY), Genie Bouchard
(CAN) or Agnieszka Radwanska (POL). Babolat is also a partner of icons like the
French Open and Wimbledon.
Babolat will additionally provide the official ball at the 2016 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
in Stuttgart and is also represented at a tournament stand in cooperation with Sport
2000 Katzmaier.
www.babolat.com
www.facebook.com/babolat
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Premium Partner
Berenberg
Established in 1590, Berenberg is one of the leading private banks in Europe today,
focusing on four business divisions: Private Banking, Investment Banking, Asset
Management and Corporate Banking. The Bank has its head office in Hamburg and is
run by personally liable managing partners. It has a strong presence in the financial
centres of London, New York, Frankfurt and Zurich and has altogether 19 offices in
Europe, America and Asia. With a firm grasp of our traditions we have 1,300 staff
driving our business into the future.
Independent institutes have repeatedly confirmed the high quality of Germany’s oldest
private bank: the Handelsblatt report “Die Elite der Vermögensverwalter” awarded the
rating “summa cum laude” for the twelfth consecutive time.
Berenberg is represented in Stuttgart with a branch on Bolzstrasse, phone +49 711
490 44 90-0.
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Premium Partner
DEKRA SE
Commissioned to make your event safe
For 90 years, DEKRA has been working to provide safety in traffic, at work and at
home. Founded in Berlin in 1925, the “Deutschen Kraftfahrzeug-Überwachungs-Verein
e.V.” has grown into one of the world’s leading expertise organisations. Approximately
37,000 employees in 50 countries on all five continents commit themselves daily to
safety.
At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, DEKRA Event & Logistic Services helps ensure the
tournament goes to plan. A specialist hostess service supports the Porsche organising
team by making sure everything runs smoothly in the stands. DEKRA Event & Logistic
Services is the perfect partner for every aspect in the event, transport and logistics
sector. The company takes on the complete organisation of events, brand
presentations or the full fleet management nationally and internationally.
Press contact
Alexander Föll
Tel: +49-(0)711-7861-2739
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Premium Partner
Ensinger
“Ensinger Sport – the calcium-magnesium power source” – Ensinger MineralHeilquellen GmbH’s clear brand message stands for the best taste, highest
quality and sustainability. The healthy, fitness inducing drink is an integral
part of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for players, officials and spectators.
Ensinger is however not only a very sporty company but has for the last 20
years been committing itself to sustainability which is anchored within the
company principles. Ensinger was also one of the first companies in Baden
Württemberg to sign the federal state’s WIN Charta. Back in 2014, the familyrun business was awarded the state’s Environment Prize and Ensinger
Mineralwasser is already today being produced using 100 per cent
renewable energy.
To maintain the excellent quality of the mineral water for future generations,
the Ensinger Gourmet-Quelle has been certified by Qualitätsgemeinschaft
Biomineralwasser e.V. as the first organic mineral water in Baden
Württemberg. Ensinger thereby commits itself to measures specifically
designed to promote water conservation through ecological farming, to
environment-friendly extraction and sales, to transparency, to maintaining
socials standards and much more
The philosophy guarantees that our range of products is of the highest quality
which in turn is rewarded by high consumer demand. It is something players
and visitors at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix can once again test for
themselves when enjoying the special Bio-Gourmet water from the unique
organic geosphere, Ensinger Sport with lots of calcium and magnesium, the
Ensinger sport drinks optimised with natural aromas or the first class water
and direct juice drink – similar to a non-alcoholic America spritzer – using
locally-grown fruit.
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Press contact:
Bernd Leonhardt
Tel: +49 70 42 28 09-600
Fax: + 49 70 42 28 09-603
www.ensinger.de
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Premium Partner
Geldermann Privatsektkellerei
Steeped in tradition, the Breisach am Rhein-based Geldermann Privatsektkellerei will
this year once again be a stylish partner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.
The foundation for the collaboration is formed by a common philosophy: Geldermann
and Porsche are bound by outstanding quality and exclusivity.
The renowned Gelderman sekt, a style leader in the market for German sparkling
wines, stands for a cuvée that exudes extravagance, elegance and French esprit. A
special production method is needed before one can enjoy the premium sparkling wine
– the Geldermann Privatsektkellerei produces its unique sekt variations exclusively by
means of the traditional bottle fermentation method. The tradition has been stylishly
cultivated by the cellar masters ever since the brand’s first beginnings in 1838.
Experience Geldermann: the Geldermann Privatsektkellerei in Breisach am Rhein
opens its doors to welcome visitors – there is no need to book in advance – throughout
the year from Monday to Saturday at 2.00 pm. From March to October, it is also open
on Sundays and public holidays. The guided tours around the historical cellars under
the town’s Münsterberg hill are an unforgettable experience.
Press contact:
Rotkäppchen-Mumm Sektkellereien GmbH
Ulrich Ehmann
Press spokesman
Matheus-Müller-Platz
65343 Eltville am Rhein
Germany
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Tel: + 49 (0) 6123-606-269
Mob: + 49 (0) 171-744 64 12
www.rotkaeppchen-mumm.de
Tel Geldermann Privatsektkellerei:
+ 49 (0) 7667-834258
www.geldermann.de
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Premium Partner
Klingenberg GmbH
Those wanting to be successful need innovative ideas – just like the Hanover-based
Klingenberg GmbH. It rents out high-quality designer furniture which, perfectly
maintained and reconditioned, is then sold at unbeatable prices in the EXPO PARK in
Hanover. “Renting instead of buying” is not only cheaper and more flexible, companies
can also turn to an ever new and sophisticated interior. Trade shows, congresses,
product presentations and top class events like, in particular, the Porsche Tennis
Grand Prix all desire premium furnishings.
Klingenberg provides a stylish ambience with design classics and its polished on-site
back-up service takes care of the whole logistics. The EXPO PARK Hanover location
means the company can process large scale orders for private customers and national
and international projects even quicker and with greater precision. CEO Uwe
Klingenberg: “We not only create a special atmosphere, our service ensures the
design classics will be given a perfect setting. And everything will be done on time.”
Klingenberg GmbH offers a full-service in all aspects of the provision of design
classics for events, contract furnishing and for the private sphere. New and
reconditioned used pieces of furniture are on show in the Klingenberg flagship in
Hanover’s EXPO PARK and in the OnlineSHOP.
KLICON – the control wrist band for premium events
KLICON is a real innovation – it is the first control and access wrist band whereby
there is no surplus length to be seen. Maximal wear comfort is guaranteed as a result
of there being no surplus length. The patented unibody is made out of high tech plastic
and is also anti-allergic and recyclable. The simple and clean aesthetics are
impressive right from the first time of wearing. Carrying a highly precise print,
KLICONs are unique as an advertising medium on the wrists of the guests. KLICON is
currently used in a variety of colours at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix for VIP guests.
KLICON was awarded the iF product design award 2010 and was nominated for the
“Designpreis Deutschland 2011”. Designed by FOR INDUSTRIAL DESIGN
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Press contacts:
Klingenberg GmbH
Dirk Deierling
Tel: +49 (0) 511 94085812
www.klingenberg-designklassiker.de
KLICON
Almut Klingenberg
Tel: +49 (0) 172-4082502
www.klicon.de
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Premium Partner
Konica Minolta IT Solutions
Konica Minolta IT Solutions GmbH with headquarter in Stuttgart is one of the leading
IT system houses for IT technology in Germany. With a headcount of 350 employees
we are serving a wide range of branches, including industry, trade and services as well
as public entities. Overall we have built a relationship with 5000 plus customers. We
are at your disposal in our distributed network of branches in Stuttgart, Karlsruhe,
Erlangen, Kiel, Hannover, Neu-Ulm, Koblenz, Köln and Siegen. The overall group
turnover in the year 2014/2015 was 61 Mio. €.
Within this German wide network our employees constantly exchange their knowledge
and practical experience.
With a portfolio of efficient and future proof software solutions of market leading
partner vendors we optimize complex processes and challenges of SME and
enterprise customers.
Our service portfolio is divided in four areas:
• Business Solutions
• IT-Infrastructure
• IT-Security
• Output Management
We - as Konica Minolta IT Solutions - do not only plan and realize highly integrated
and complex turn key business solutions for our customers, we also support
comprehensive professional Managed Services and the daily operations of ERP and
CRM systems, IT-Infrastructure, ECM/DMS systems, HRM systems, Database, SharePoint-Services as well as IT Security, Output Management and Media Presentation
Technologies. Consulting and Auditing are also a core element of our service
deliverables.
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Principle partnership
Our work and service is based on a trusting partnership: with our customers, our
suppliers, our partners and our employees. That’s how we live up to our slogan:
Principle of Partnership!
Thanks to the close knit relationship with our suppliers and our highly skilled workforce
we are keeping abreast with the latest evolutions and the steady changes in
technology, processes and new challenges. State-of-the-Art: With our technologies and relevant know-how we help you to optimize
your business processes.
We hereby invite you to getting to know us better and live with us according to our
slogan “Principle of Partnership”!
Press contact:
[email protected]
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Premium Partner
Marbach Concepte GmbH & Co. KG
A Powerful Partner
Marbach Concepte specializes in transporting vehicles in closed carriages. We have
established ourselves as a serious, reliable and high-performance partner in the
automobile industry. We are also your cooperative partner for handling logistics, for
racing and for staging your trade show events.
The two companies Marbach und Zeyer owned and directed by Susanne and Bernd
Marbach, stand firm and united on the market. Extensive experience coupled with
maximum flexibility in continental and intercontinental transportation qualifies us to
meet the future needs of our business.
Our highest goal is to exceed our customers’ demands!
And with this motivation, we have been developing special transportation vehicles for
vehicles with a minimum of chassis clearance, as well as other technical refinements
according to your needs and desires. We are especially proud of our youngest fleet
member, serving the transport of tempered plasticine models.
Our strength lies in our successful business strategy, our outstanding flexibility and
inventiveness, our qualified personnel and our short chain of command.
Our guiding principle:
Customer connected, quality conscious, groomed for growth
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Premium Partner
Olymp
“Men in OLYMP”
Everyone’s familiar with those special moments in life: the moments of success,
happiness and satisfaction. The feeling of personal elevation – that feeling of reaching
“Olympian” heights.
The innovative garment manufacturer OLYMP Bezner KG from Bietigheim-Bissingen
in south Germany has used the metaphoric thoughts for the contemporary guiding
slogan for its brand strategy. Men in OLYMP are successful, place great value on a
stylish and sophisticated appearance, and cut a perfect figure in any situation
OLYMP represents uncompromising quality when it comes to materials and finishing,
outstanding wear and care benefits, and excellent value for money – and, of course,
an impressive stylish testimony to all its products, whether shirts, ties, polo shirts and
knitwear.
Strict adherence to its company principles has enabled the medium-sized clothing
specialist to grow highly successfully and more than treble turnover in a difficult
clothing market in only ten years to approximately 237 million euro in 2015.
According to figures issued by the textile panel of the German “Gesellschaft für
Konsumforschung” (GfK – a market research institute), OLYMP is the undisputed
market leader for men’s shirts in Germany and is enjoying continual growth
internationally.
Demand in particular for the non-iron and wrinkle-free 100 per cent cotton “OLYMP
Luxor” line, which is available in comfort fit or modern fit, is increasing all the time.
However perfectly matching silk ties, easy-care leisure and pole shirts as well as highquality knitwear also all belong to the product portfolio. Highly successful for years now
is the “OLYMP Level Five” line launched for super-slim and fashion-conscious men.
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Alongside body fit business and leisure shirts, it also includes polo shirts and knitwear
in the same cut.
As a part of a sponsoring agreement, OLYMP, a premium partner of the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix, will in 2016 provide the organisers numerous business shirts,
women’s blouses and polo shirts – all embroidered with the tournament logo – from its
wide range of garments. OLYMP products are available in leading clothing retailers,
the German-wide OLYMP Stores or in the brand new OLYMP Online Shop at
OLYMP.COM.
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Premium Partner
RAUMPFLEGE AG – The Winner cleans it all
Exciting matches in a pleasant atmosphere and in a neat and clean PorscheArena/HMSH – the leader of the ranking list for cleaning of sports facilities and events
takes care of it - the RAUMPFLEGE AG.
Year by year these experts are highly qualified as a top service partner of the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix. Perfect preparation, optimal timing and a constantly evolving
technology – they are the champions in cleaning. High motivated and top trained they
achieve constant performance at top efficiency.
With 50 years of experience the specialists are old stagers on the court but with
reference to innovative technologies they are always one step ahead.
Particularly impressive is the comprehensive range of services. In, on and around
buildings and industrial plants everything will be cleaned highly polished. They do not
even stop cleaning machines, ventilation systems and means of transportation. And
should you be interested in janitor services, security staff or event assistance - you
don’t have to look any further.
Finally we can say: Game, Set, Match for the all-rounder RAUMPFLEGE AG.
Contact:
Raumpflege AG
Martin-Luther-Str. 38-42
70372 Stuttgart
Phone: +49 (0) 711 95456-0/-90
Fax: +49 (0) 711 9545691
E-Mail: [email protected]
www.raumpflege-ag.de
94
Premium Partner
Success Hotels Group
With future-oriented technology and clear structures to success
Twenty years ago, Manfred Friedrich founded a consultancy specialising in the hotel
trade. It was followed by property brokerage and a close collaboration with banks and
investors when pursuing numerous hotel developments. The Bavarian-born hospitality
specialist himself developed several hotels one after the other. Today, Manfred
Friedrich and an experienced management team operate 12 hotels under the brand
name of differing internationally renowned hotel companies like Hilton Worldwide,
Accorhotels and InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG).
The way has been paved for growth: the Success Hotel Group wants to continue its
expansion. Up to 2016, the family-run company will open six further hotels also
operating under the flag of world-leading hotel brands. It means the number of hotel
rooms will increase from currently 1,350 to a total of approximately 2,300. In the same
period, there is possibility to take over existing facilities and smaller competitors. The
Success Hotels Group is ideally positioned to grow strongly.
In recent years, the hotel company has concentrated on implementing trend-setting
technologies and clear structures within the company’s administrative procedures. The
headquarters in Stuttgart is therefore in the position to centrally steer, and above all
bundle, all administrative processes like purchasing, finance and payroll accounting,
sales and marketing in specialist departments. The departments however
communicate directly with one another and, via an online system, with the hotels.
Consequently not only costs are reduced but ideal conditions are created whereby
additional hotels can be accommodated within the existing portfolio at all times.
The capability gives the Success Hotel Group an extremely high degree of flexibility as
well as a decisive competitive advantage. In the same breath, an ingenious human
resources structure has been created during the course of which company founder
95
Manfred Friedrich also extended the executive management. As a first step, he
appointed his son Michael Friedrich co-managing director in 2014. Two long-time
members of the management team, Paul Gonschor (Chief Financial Officer) and
Thomas Bosse (Chief Development Officer) were given procuration. Dr. Thomas Leib
has also been a part of the executive management since July 2015. As the Chief
Strategy Officer, he supports the two managing directors in the development of
projects.
In the gastronomy sector, Success Hotel Group has been working for several years
designing a concept that can be put into place across the group. The know-how has
now been invested by the company in an own creation – Mikeˋs Urban Pub. The result
is a system gastronomy that, with a sophisticated concept, is designed to impress.
High-quality burgers made of the best home-reared meat served with fine sauces or
finest steak specialities – served in a modern pub-like atmosphere. The first branches
are to be found in Stuttgart, Tübingen, Leipzig and Bremen and others are currently in
the planning. To ensure the culinary products are kept at a constant high quality, the
Success Hotel Group management team will be expanded to include a Head of
Culinary Experience. Manfred and Michael Friedrich have thus once again set
innovation standards within the German hospitality industry.
All sectors of the company group have, without exception, been generating positive
balance sheets since the founding year in 1995. As a result, the Success Hotel Group
has been rated as “bankable” by all the relevant institutes.
Contact – Company:
Matthias Wohlgemuth
Tel: +49 (0)711 – 90 71 34 17
Website: www.shgr.com
96
Contact - Public Relations:
l&t communications – PR for Lifestyle & Travel
Wolf-Thomas Karl
Tel: +49 (0)178 18 44 946
Website: www.lt-communications.com
97
Premium Partner
Wilson
For almost a century now, Wilson has itself earned a firm place in sports history and
has been instrumental in shaping the sports of tennis, golf, baseball and American
football. As an originator of pioneering technologies, Wilson has produced legendary
classics that have helped give the company its unrivalled reputation in the respective
sports.
Thanks to the support of generations of sportsmen and women, Wilson has become
an American icon in the world of sports equipment. Wilson is the world’s leading
manufacturer of equipment for ball sports. Its core sports are tennis, baseball,
American football, golf, basketball, softball, badminton and squash.
The company is sub-divided into three business areas: racquet sports, team sports
and golf. Headquartered in Chicago in the United States, Wilson employs over 1,600
people globally. A dedicated sales network serves customers in over 100 countries.
Press contact:
Julia Schehl
Consumer Marketing Manager
Amer Sports Deutschland/Wilson
Tel: +49 (0) 89 89801 258
[email protected]
www.wilson.com
98
Charity Partner
AGAPEDIA
20 Years of AGAPEDIA Children’s Centre in Esslingen am Neckar
Founded by the former footballer Jürgen Klinsmann in 1995, the Agapedia charitable
foundation establishes projects to support needy and underprivileged children. The
aim of the charitable work is to help children directly and support social
improvements via sustainable projects. Agapedia is an act of humanity.
When founding his foundation, the goal of Mr Klinsmann was, on the one hand,
to give something back to the region in which he himself grew up in and, on the
other, to go beyond one’s own borders and provide international support for
children and families in precarious situations.
The Agapedia Children’s Centre in Esslingen am Neckar near Stuttgart will
commemorate its 20th year of existence in April 2016. Thirty to sixty children are
cared for every afternoon in the facility. The team headed by Peter and Tina
Döffinger offers children diverse workshops and programmes designed to help
them discover their abilities, develop their talents and encourage each and
every child’s self-confidence and sense of responsibility.
Internationally, Agapedia founded and staffed subsidiary foundations in
Romania in 1995 and in Bulgaria and Moldova in 2001 to help establish
functioning and sustainable social services.
We in particular work in these countries with children and teenagers abandoned
by state children’s homes and other institutions to rebuild lost trust through long
term relationship work and to establish common paths in a self-reliant and
responsible future.
We are delighted that our long-time friend and companion Guido Buchwald, a
member of the 1990 German World Cup-winning team with Jürgen Klinsmann,
99
will again be supporting us at the ceremony to hand over the check before the
final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix on 24 April 2016.
Special thanks go out to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix and Porsche AG for
their long-term and sustained partnership as a charity partner and their support
for the Agapedia children in Esslingen am Neckar.
More information:
Stefan Barth & Marika Barth
www.agapedia.de
+49 711 2626260
100
Charity Partner
PLAN international Deutschland
Plan once again charity partner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix
The Stuttgart women’s tennis tournament supports water project in Ghana
The children’s charity Plan International Deutschland is this year once again a charity
partner of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. One of the oldest children’s charities, Plan
works in 51 countries across Asia, Africa and Latin America and finances sustainable
self-help projects via child sponsorships, donations, state funding and company
cooperations. Plan campaigns for a world in which children can fulfil their full potential.
In a society that protects the rights of children and treats children with dignity and
respect: No matter their origin, religion or political circumstances.
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s support this year concentrates on the Plan “Water
for schools and communities” project in Ghana whereby the organisation is trying to
help improve the water supply and sanitation facilities – and therefore improve the
infant mortality rate. The project communities lie in the districts of Afadzato South and
Akuapem North. The aim is for about 80 per cent of the 19,500 community members
to have access to clean drinking water by the end of the project. Toilets with washing
facilities have therefore been installed in 19 schools in the project communities.
Together with the communities, Plan is building wells and facilities to supply water in
20 villages. In order to sustain the water supply after the end of the project, Plan is
training local water and sanitation committees in the maintenance and repair of the
facilities. In Ghana, more than three million people have no access to clean drinking
water.
The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix’s involvement comes as a part of Plan’s “Children
need Fans!” sports iniative for the German “Kinderhilfswerk” charity. Many famous
sportsmen and women like Worl Cup hero Mario Götze, 100-metre sprinter Tatjana
Pinto or luge Olympic champion Felix Loch are appealing for support for the
undepriviledged children. Together with Plan, they are making people aware of the
needs of girls and boys in developing countries.
101
Wolfgang Porschen, the member of Plan International Germany’s executive
management with responsibility for cooperations, is delighted that the partnership with
the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is continuing: “We’re very pleased that the Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix is supporting our work again this year. All the world’s children
needs someone who believes in and inspires them. In supporting the charity, Porsche
Tennis Grand Prix is making a major contribution to bolstering children’s rights and is
giving the girls and boys in Ghana hope for a better future.”
Photos and contact:
•
Daniela Hensel, Press Officer, Tel. +49 40 61140-219, [email protected]
•
Martin Oetzmann, Press Officer, Tel. +49 40 61140-146,
[email protected]
Plan International Germany has been distinguished as a transparent charity on a
number of occasions. The children’s charity topped the category twice in 2012 – in the
PwC Transparency Prize and in an analysis consucted by the business magazine,
Capital. One of the oldest independent children’s charities, Plan works in 51 countries
across Asia, Africa and Latin America and finances sustainable self-help projects via
child sponsorships, donations, state funding and sompany cooperations. With the
“Because I am a Girl” campaign, Plan fights for the rights of girls and gained UNO
approval for the International Day of the Girl on 11 October. Plan International
Germany holds the DZI Donation Seal and was awarded the Federal Ministry for
Economic Cooperation and Development’s ’Walter Scheel Prize’ in 2011 for its
support.
102
Charity Partner
UNICEF CHILD FRIENDLY CITY STUTTGART
Stuttgart collects, helps and informs
Stuttgart has been a UNICEF Child Friendly City since November 2015 whereby the
focus is on UNICEF projects in crisis regions which are duly supported by donations.
Stuttgart’s target is to collect 600,000 euro in donations. Child-friendliness and the
commitment of the people of Stuttgart is another focal point of the cooperation.
Via campaigns and events during the year of the partnership, the citizens, companies,
schools, clubs and institutions of Stuttgart are collecting donations for UNICEF
projects in three countries: for UNICEF health projects in Stuttgart’s Egyptian twin city
of Cairo, innovative projects in the state of Baden Württemberg’s partner country
Burundi and educational projects for Syrian refugees in the Turkish province of Mardin.
As a part of the 20th UNICEF city partnership, Stuttgart wants to get the ball rolling for
children and has symbolically chosen the globe and the slogan “…und Du fängst an”
which can be translated as “…and you begin”.
“I’m convinced the twin city year will be a success when lots of people in Stuttgart help
us,” said the Stuttgart Lord Mayor and Patron of the city partnership Fritz Kuhn at the
inauguration ceremony on 20 November 2015. “It’s why I am appealing to everyone
living in Stuttgart to back our UNICEF city partnership. Working together, we can
succeed in giving children the attention they deserve and in doing so improve their
chances of having a better time of things when they’re growing up. We’ll really get
something rolling and it’d be nice when the people of Stuttgart grab hold of the ball.”
Right away at the start of the city partnership, Porsche donated 100,000 euro to
UNICEF for the educational projects designed to help Syrian refugee children in
Turkey. As a part of the “Aces for Charity” campaign, the company will donate 100
euro for every ace hit at this year’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix up to the final. The
resulting donation will be handed over on finals day to the UNICEF ambassador and
actor Hardy Krüger Jr. Visitors to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix can also help out as
103
a part of the “Helping Ball” campaign. By buying a used or a signed tennis ball, visitors
will support UNICEF projects.
In the Kids‘ & Activity Village, the UNICEF Child City will also be represented at a
stand where visitors can find out more about the city partnership projects. A “Power
Cycle” – similar to one used to generate electricity in Burundi – at the stand will give
one an idea of what UNICEF does to help people in the field.
Further information about the UNICEF city partnership at:
https://www.unicef.de/mitmachen/kinderstadt-stuttgart
104

Press-Information - Porsche

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