All aboard? We're setting sail! The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open is kicking off an action-packed and intensive tournament week with an incredibly balanced field of competitors, plenty of exciting German players, absolute top-level sport, and a diverse supporting programme!
At yesterday's main draw, the pairings for the first round were drawn in the well-protected „Walk of Champions“ in typical Hamburg weather - and they really do have it all!
For example, there's the German duel between Noma Noha Akugue, a finalist in 2023, and Valentina Steiner, who celebrated her 20th birthday on Sunday.
Or the big challenge for Julia Stusek, who will be playing on the Centre Court this afternoon! The 18-year-old will face Nadia Podoroska in her Hamburg debut. The Argentinian, who reached the semi-finals of the French Open in 2020, is back after a 14-month injury break and is aiming to work her way back to the top of the world rankings. Can Stusek prove to be an obstacle for her?
One thing that should definitely be kept in mind today is „Hamburg enthusiast“ Anna Bondar. The Hungarian won both the singles and doubles at the 2024 ECE Hamburg Ladies Open – and was back in the final in 2025. Is she now possibly aiming for a final hat-trick? When she arrived at the players' hotel, the Grand Elysée, yesterday, she certainly felt right at home again...
Victoria Brand, Jule Niemeier and Mona Barthel are also hoping for a real home game today. All three have the chance to move into the main draw of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open with a win, meaning there could potentially be nine German players left in the race for the tournament title.
While Jule Niemeier, Hamburg's semi-finalist from 2021, wants to show that she is on her way back to her old strength, talent scouts should primarily keep an eye on Victoria Brand. At 16 years old, the Kiel native is competing in a WTA tournament for the very first time and has done excellently, not least thanks to the support of the fans. An impressive performance now even means she could make it into the main draw.
Today, the challenge is stepping up a notch, as Victoria Brand faces her Centre Court debut! And to keep nerves in check in this atmosphere, your support as fans can make all the difference. So you know what you need to do! Here's to a great day of tennis at Rothenbaum!
Match Of the Day
Age: 29
Born in: Rosario, Argentina
World ranking position: 533
Greatest success: Roland Garros semi-finals (2020)
Age: 18
Born in: Rheinfelden, Germany
World ranking position: 438
Greatest success: W35 Tournament Win in Klosters (2026)
From 19 to 26 July 2026, Hamburg will be hosting a tennis festival with the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open and the Hamburg Wheelchair Open. An overview of the international top players, Germany's largest international women's wheelchair tennis tournament, the extensive family programme, and numerous experiential offerings was provided at the opening press conference.
The official draw for the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open provided cracking duels and a real highlight right from the start. The draw presented by MSC was actively supported by Noma Noha Akugue, Tamara Korpatsch, Julia Stusek, Christoph Behm (Marketing General Manager MSC), and the two HSV football players Jule Baum and Jaqueline Dönges.
This is a very special training session! As part of the WTA tournament, Asklepios is inviting girls and boys aged six to 12 to a taster tennis course together with Andrea Petkovic on Wednesday, 22nd July. Registration is possible via the following link. But be warned, places are limited!
On Sunday afternoon, Anna Bondar arrived at the official players' hotel, the Grand Elysée. Just a short walk from the Rothenbaum tennis stadium, the five-star private hotel offers the perfect setting for focused and uncomplicated preparation.
In 2024, the Hungarian returned home with the double, after losing to Lois Boisson in last year's final. Can the 29-year-old prove her class again this year?
This is a minor sensation! The 16-year-old Victoria Brand from Kiel is in the qualifying final in her debut at Rothenbaum.
She played furiously against Kathinka von Deichmann (Liechtenstein), winning convincingly 6-3, 6-4, and is now just one victory away from her main draw debut on the WTA Tour.
Brand has big ambitions and wants to do everything she can to become a professional tennis player. She is perhaps taking a very crucial step in this direction right now at Rothenbaum. Jule Niemeier and Mona Barthel also have the chance today to reach the main draw in their home tournament.
Simply unique – like the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open! Fürst Bismarck mineral water offers wonderful refreshment for all players, officials, and fans at Rothenbaum.
And a genuine recommendation: those looking for something fruity will find it in the WELLPLUS Balance varieties of the fruity lemonades from Fürst Bismarck.
This is going to be absolutely legendary! The final day of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open will feature another spectacular highlight: before the final match of the WTA tournament, former world number one and 25-time Grand Slam champion Martina Hingis and former top-10 player and now tournament ambassador Andrea Petkovic will face each other in an exclusive show match on theCentre Court at the Hamburg Rothenbaum. It starts at 12pm!
Tickets for the final day are also valid for the show match and can be purchased from the online ticket shop. Children and young people up to the age of 16 have free entry on the final day.
Top sport for everyone! All tennis fans can watch the matches on the secondary courts M1 and M2 free of charge until Friday.
Ground tickets are available at the box office. We look forward to seeing you at the Rothenbaum!
Would you like to learn more about the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open and Hamburg Wheelchair Open, and expand your knowledge about the top stars and rising hopes? Then grab a free copy at the Info Point! Clicking the button will also take you to the online version of our programme booklet.
