The draw has been confirmed ahead of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Stuttgart which will take place between 15 April - 21 April as one of the best attended and also most prestigious WTA 500's on the calendar. Headlined by Iga Swiatek who has cleaned up in recent years, it features not only a trophy but a lucrative prize.
That being of course a brand new Porsche. Swiatek who herself like a number in the field is an ambassador for the brand has won on multiple occasions in recent years. She has also made a habit of defeating Aryna Sabalenka who will finally look to win one this time around. For the defending champion, it is either Tatjana Maria or Elise Mertens in the second round.
But also lurking is a tricky quarter featuring two familiar foes. As well as also two big names. Emma Raducanu and Angelique Kerber will face off in the opening round. With the winner facing Linda Noskova or Jelena Ostapenko. Also lurking in their section is Elena Rybakina who will open against Veronika Kudermetova or Barbora Krejcikova.
Sabalenka like noted will return for the first time since her Miami Open appearance. This was fraught by the passing of ex-boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov. She will again though likely face Paula Badosa in the second round. This for the second tournament running. Talk about tournament gods not being on her side. Coco Gauff is third seed. She will face one of two qualifiers. Fifth seed is Qinwen Zheng who opens against Sorana Cirstea with Marta Kostyuk or Laura Siegemund awaiting the winner.
This field also is still superb despite the withdrawals of Emma Navarro and Jessica Pegula. They withdrew having played Billie Jean King Cup back in USA so will delay their return until the Madrid Open in the week after.