HAMBURG/STARNBERG, July 12, 2027

On Sunday, the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open will kick off at Hamburg’s prestigious Rothenbaum Tennis Complex, marking the start of a reimagined WTA tournament that blends world-class tennis with a family-friendly festival atmosphere. Running through July 20, the event not only promises top-tier action on clay but also aims to become a highlight for the city.

At a press conference on Friday, Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, joined by Dr. Jonas Leder (Director of the Hamburg Sports Office), as well as local stars Eva Lys and Noma Noha Akugue, offered a preview of the sporting and cultural significance of the tournament.

With a new name and a new title sponsor — MSC, the world’s largest shipping company — the tournament opens a fresh chapter in Hamburg’s long-standing tradition of women’s tennis. “The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open are a statement for women’s sport in Hamburg with global reach,” said Sandra Reichel. “With television coverage in almost 200 countries, the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open shine a spotlight on Hamburg and its standing as Germany’s tennis capital. No other tennis tournament in Germany has featured as many German players as this one.”

Just one week to go
The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open 2025 is about to begin at Rothenbaum. Excitement is building, final preparations are underway – we can’t wait to share world-class tennis with all of you live. #mschamburgladiesopen #wtahamburg #tennis #hamburg pic.twitter.com/VEyoYgxqDO

— MSC Ladies Hamburg Open 〽️ (@hamburgopen) July 6, 2025

Fans can look forward to a vibrant combination of sports, entertainment, and community. “We want to offer a tennis festival for all people of Hamburg,” Reichel emphasized. The draw is packed with German talent, including several home favorites. Leading the national contingent are Queen’s Club champion Tatjana Maria, Wimbledon quarterfinalist Laura Siegemund, and Eva Lys, who reached the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open. Nearly the entire elite of German women’s tennis will compete, with only Ella Seidel missing due to an injury sustained at Wimbledon.

The international field also features a compelling mix of veterans and rising stars. Among them is Lois Boisson, the 22-year-old French sensation who made a surprise run to the semifinals of Roland Garros. Before the tournament, she was largely unknown outside tennis circles — now, she’s a player to watch. Known for her clay-court skills, Boisson is eager for her first Rothenbaum appearance.

Also making headlines is China’s Xinju Wang, who reached the final of the Berlin Ladies Open and has emerged as a genuine title contender despite not yet claiming a WTA Tour title. Ukrainian standout Dayana Yastremska will also be in Hamburg. Her recent performances — including a semifinal at the 2024 Australian Open and a runner-up finish at the WTA 500 in Linz — have made her a perennial threat.

Past champions Anna Bondar and Arantxa Rus are returning, adding even more prestige to the player field.

A key theme of the tournament is opportunity, particularly for German players. Hamburg’s own Noma Noha Akugue, who stunned the tennis world with her run to the final here in 2023, will once again compete in the main draw thanks to a wildcard, alongside young talent Nastasja Schunk from Mainz. “In 2023, I went into every match with the mentality of giving it my all and playing my best tennis,” Akugue reflected. “After reaching the final here at Rothenbaum, I struggled with injuries and had a hard time finding my rhythm again. I’m happy to be fit now, and I’ll give everything to be successful again.”

Schunk joins a promising generation of German talent benefiting from the spotlight. Tessa Brockmann, a 19-year-old from Kaltenkirchen’s TC an der Schirnau, receives a wildcard for qualifying — her second appearance at the tournament after debuting in 2023. Also receiving qualifying wildcards are Sonja Zhenikhova (TK Blau-Gold Steglitz), part of the Porsche Talent Team, and Valentina Steiner (Heidelberger TC). One main draw wildcard and two for qualifying are still to be announced.

Germany’s Head Women’s National Coach, Torben Beltz, praised the tournament’s role in player development:
“It’s a strong signal that we can offer several German players wildcard entries into the main and qualifying draws of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open. Noma Noha Akugue and Nastasja Schunk, who will play in the main draw, have already proven they can compete at this level. For them, Hamburg is a key stop on the way up — or back up. And our young talents, Tessa Brockmann, Sonja Zhenikhova, and Valentina Steiner, will get valuable experience competing under professional conditions. These opportunities are essential for their development.”

Eva Lys, who grew up training at Rothenbaum and the Club an der Alster, is especially looking forward to competing in front of her home crowd. “I basically grew up here at Rothenbaum and the Club an der Alster. I know every corner and all the people — it really feels like home,” said Lys. “That kind of connection doesn’t exist anywhere else on tour. Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself. But of course, I’ve got my eyes on the trophy. If I didn’t have that mindset, I’d be in the wrong place.”