HAMBURG/STARNBERG, January 20, 2026 (via DTB Media Release)
Eva Bennemann, Tessa Brockmann, Julia Stusek, Mariella Thamm and Sonja Zhenikhova have been selected by the German Tennis Federation (DTB) for the Porsche Talent Team 2026. The five young players, all members of the DTB national squad, will receive additional support for the upcoming season through the long-standing partnership between the DTB and Porsche, the federation’s main sponsor for junior development. The program is designed to support the athletes not only on court, but also beyond tennis.
All five players are regarded as some of the most promising female talents in German tennis. Their inclusion in the Porsche Talent Team allows for more targeted and individualized development, with the long-term goal of preparing them for professional tennis and future roles within Germany’s senior national team.
“We are currently seeing a generation emerge in the younger age groups that has the potential to represent Tennis Germany on the WTA Tour and in the national team in the near future,” said DTB board member Veronika Rücker. “We know how challenging this step can be for the players, and with the Porsche Talent Team we are addressing precisely this critical phase. We are very grateful to Porsche for making this additional support possible for such a select group of players.”
The Porsche Talent Team is selected annually by the DTB national coaching staff in cooperation with the DTB board of sport, based on defined criteria. A nomination to the DTB national squad is a basic requirement. In addition, players are evaluated according to their ranking development, competitive results, athletic performance, personal environment and coaching assessments.
Further information on the team and individual player profiles can be found at here.
Supporting female talent since 2012
The promotion of female junior players has been a key pillar of the partnership between Porsche AG and the DTB since 2012. Through this collaboration, young talents are given expanded opportunities on their pathway toward a professional tennis career. The program goes beyond match play and training, incorporating joint fitness sessions, media training and various workshops designed to support the athletes’ holistic development.
