The Bad Homburg Open start at the weekend. Before the tennis tournament, the fans ask themselves: what about Angelique Kerber and Andrea Petkovic? Who are the favourites? Here is an overview with the answers.
Her former tennis competitors are preparing for Wimbledon, Angelique Kerber is returning to Bad Homburg as a mother: the 3rd edition of the lawn tournament begins on Sunday, in which the three-time Grand Slam tournament winner is a tournament ambassador. The field of participants is led by the world number one Iga Swiatek, who has her first appearance in Bad Homburg’s Kurpark on Monday. Some questions and answers before the tournament kicks off:
What is the significance of the tournament?
It is one of the last tournaments in the German Lawn Weeks this summer. Together with the events in Stuttgart and Halle (both men) and Berlin (women). 32 participants complete their preparation for Wimbledon in Bad Homburg. Unlike other WTA tournaments, the main draw starts on a Sunday instead of a Monday and ends on Saturday instead of Sunday. The reason: the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon starts on Monday, July 3rd. The tournament winner and finalist should have time for travel and a short rest before the kick-off.
What role does Angelique Kerber play?
Two years ago Angelique Kerber (35) celebrated the tournament victory on the grass pitch in Bad Homburg, now she should again as a tournament ambassador, among other things, to be the contact person for the players. At the end of February their first daughter, little Liane, was born. “In this phase you also learn an awful lot about yourself, discover new sides. These are exciting times,” she described her new experiences in an interview that was published in the tournament magazine. The woman from Kiel has been on pause since last summer, and the former number one in the world played her last match so far at Wimbledon 2022. But she plans to return to the tour.
And what about Andrea Petkovic?
Unlike Kerber, Andrea Petkovic ended her tennis career last year. Nevertheless, she will have an appearance in Bad Homburg on Sunday (12 noon). With companions who were not announced by the organizers, she will compete in a show match and say goodbye to the audience in Bad Homburg.
“I don’t think I’m very emotional. I stopped six months ago,” predicts the Darmstadt resident in an interview with hr-sport, but then leaves a back door open to the tear glands: “Sometimes things come from the subconscious out of which one had no idea.”
Who are the favourites?
The star of the tournament is Iga Swiatek, who just won the French Open in Paris for the third time after 2020 and 2022. The Polish world number one is scheduled to make her debut in Bad Homburg on Monday evening (6 p.m.). The 2012 and 2013 Australian Open winner, Victoria Azarenka from Belarus, is also registered, as are former US Open winners Sloane Stephens from the USA (2017) and Bianca Andreescu from Canada (2019). In 2022, Andreescu lost the final in Bad Homburg against the French Caroline Garcia, the defending champion is not at the start this time.
Which German players are taking part?
Tatjana Maria and Sabine Lisicki. Jule Niemeier had to withdraw due to a hand injury. Her place is taken by Anna-Lena Friedsam, who challenges the Egyptian Mayar Sherif in round one. Mara Guth from Usingen (Hochtaunus) also has the chance to move up into the main field via the qualifying round on Saturday.
Maria (world rankings 66th) is the greatest German hope for Wimbledon. Last year, Maria and Niemeier met in the quarterfinals. Thanks to the win against Niemeier, Maria reached the semi-finals for the first time in one of the four most important tournaments.
In Bad Homburg, however, the German had bad luck on Friday and had to deal with Swiatek in the first lap. Former Wimbledon finalist Lisicki meets world number 39. Lin Zhu from China.
The hr transmits
You can experience all decisions of the Bad Homburg Open live with hr-sport. The first semi-final (Friday, June 30, 2:30 p.m.) and the final (Saturday, July 1, 1:30 p.m.) will be broadcast live on hr television. Both semi-finals and the final are also broadcast live on hessenschau.de.
