The entry list of the 2021 Hamburg European Open, held from July 6 to 11, promises interesting and thrilling matches. After a 19-year hiatus, the WTA Tour will return to the Rothenbaum Tennis Stadium with an exciting and even field of players, led by World No. 33 Paula Badosa.

The 23-year-old Spaniard, who was born in New York, is one of the rising stars of the season. Badosa reached the quarterfinals at Roland-Garros in Paris this year and captured her first WTA career title in Belgrade in May. After the ongoing grass-court swing, she wants to return to her favourite surface in Hamburg.

Badosa will be joined at the $235,238 clay-court event by seven more Top 50 players: Shiuai Zhang of China, Dayana Yastremska from the Ukraine, Yulia Putintseva from Kazakhstan, Romania’s Sorana Cirstea, French Open semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek from Slovenia, US-American Danielle Collins and Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo.

Laura Siegemund leads the German contingent. The World No. 54 is bidding for her second WTA career trophy on home soil following her triumph in Stuttgart 2017. Tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic as well as 21-year-old Jule Niemeier received a wild card into the main draw.

I am totally happy that we managed to bring the women back to Hamburg after 19 years. A tournament to be held during the second week of Wimbledon is a challenge, but I think we can present an interesting line-up with some a couple of new faces and some crowd favourites,” said tournament director Sandra Reichel.

“Of course, I’m especially looking forward to the German players. Andrea Petkovic was my first choice as a tournament ambassador, her personality will be an absolute enrichment to the Rothenbaum event. From a German point of view, Jule Niemeier is the newcomer of the year,” said Reichel about the World No. 167, who is sitting at a career-high ranking and has recently started a partnership with Michael Geserer, former coach of Philipp Kohlschreiber and Julia Görges. Niemeier reached her first semi-final on the WTA Tour as a qualifier in Strasbourg in late May.

Tickets are available through the online ticket shop on the tournament homepage www.hamburg-open.com and via the hotline (01806 991175, Monday to Saturday: 8am to 6pm, Sunday: 10am to 4pm). The 2021 Hamburg European Open will kick off on July 6 with the women’s tournament. During the women’s final weekend (July 10-11), the men’s qualifying will be held concurrently. The main draw matches of the ATP tournament will start on July 12.