This is going to be an absolute tennis festival! No fewer than seven German tennis players have a great chance today, Tuesday, to follow in Julia Stusek's footsteps and reach the round of 16 at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open 2026. From morning to evening, the local favourites will be taking to the court on the two biggest courts at Rothenbaum. We're getting you ready for an exciting day of tennis!
Anyone wanting to keep track of the German matches today needs to be well-organised – as it’s one event after another! Let’s start on the centre court: in the second match after 11 am, Noma Noha Akugue and Valentina Steiner will face each other. Tennis fans will immediately think of Noha Akugue’s superb run in 2023, which took her all the way to the Rothenbaum final! Is a repeat performance possible? Why not! The now 22-year-old from Glinde has made significant developmental strides under coach Benjamin Ebrahimzadeh and is perhaps playing the best tennis of her life. However, having to play against a compatriot today presents a special challenge.
„It is a bit of a shame when a German has to go out,“ the Northern German knows. Her opponent Valentina Steiner is clearly enjoying her time in Hamburg so far, not least because she celebrated her 20th birthday on Sunday. Last year, she reached her first WTA main draw in this stadium. Now, the woman from Württemberg is aiming to go one step further...
Next, the stage is set for Tamara Korpatsch, the new German number one, who calls Der Club an der Alster her home. She has set ambitious goals for her home tournament but feels no additional pressure ahead of her encounter with Victoria Kasintseva from Andorra. „The only special thing is that I’m playing in Hamburg – whether as number one or not. I am a completely different player this year. I’m feeling much better again, feeling good again, like I used to be. I’m simply happy that I’m injury-free and healthy again,“ Korpatsch says.
Nastasja Schunk has the trickiest task of all the players in the tournament to overcome. The 22-year-old is playing against the top seed, Olexandra Oliynykova, and aims to put up a strong fight against the Ukrainian. Schunk proved on Sunday in the final of the World Tennis Tournament in Darmstadt how that can work, as she triumphed after saving seven match points. So we don't have to worry about „Nasti's“ nerves!
And then there's Tessa Brockmann from Itzehoe. She's the third local favourite to compete on the Centre Court today. For her, it's about making the most of her underdog chance against the Frenchwoman Elsa Jacquemot. We're keeping our fingers crossed! Naturally, this also applies to qualifiers Mona Barthel (against Yulia Putintseva/Kazakhstan) and Jule Niemeier (against Maria Carle/Argentina), who will be proving their class in matches two and three on Court M1.
Right then? All questions answered? Are there sufficient chilled drinks and snacks available? If not, you'll be sure to find what you need at our stands. And now, let's get started with German Super Tuesday at Rothenbaum!
Match Of the Day
Age: 20
Born in: Remseck am Neckar, Germany
World ranking position: 544
Greatest success: Double title at the Ladies Open Saar 2026
Age: 22
Born in: Reinbek, Germany
World ranking position: 144
Greatest success: Finalist at the WTA 250 tournament here in Hamburg (2023)
That was a historic success! 18-year-old Julia Stusek won the first WTA main draw match of her career at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open. On the Centre Court at Rothenbaum, she conjured up a fascinating comeback against former French Open semi-finalist Nadia Podoroska on the clay, winning 3:6, 6:3 and 6:4 after more than two and a half hours – it was the biggest success of her still young professional career.
„Hopefully, that was the first of many wins. I'm so happy I was able to turn it around and win after the first set. I tried to turn my nerves into pure joy. It's so much fun and I'm so grateful for the opportunity to play here,“ said Stusek after converting the match point to stadium announcer Matthias Killing. Stusek has thus laid the foundation for a potential German duel in the round of 16. Her next opponent will be determined in the match between Hamburg's Tamara Korpatsch and Victoria Kasintseva.
A total of eight representatives from the German Tennis Association (DTB) will be competing in the main draw of the WTA 250 tournament at Rothenbaum after the qualification rounds. On Monday, Jule Niemeier and local favourite Mona Barthel secured their tickets for the last 32. This could be a significant success, especially for Niemeier. Her 6:4, 4:6, 6:1 victory over Estonia's Elena Malygina means she is back in a WTA main draw for the first time in a year. She will now play against Argentina's Maria Carle. „I think it's just a very nice court and it doesn't feel too big. It suits my game very well, has a good bounce, is relatively quick for a clay court, but not too fast either,“ summarised Jule Niemeier.
Local favourite Mona Barthel has made use of her home advantage in the meantime and, after two three-set victories in qualifying, is looking forward to facing Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva in the main draw. „You rarely get the chance to play at home, so I'm very happy about this success. I was thinking recently that I've been doing this for 18 years. I can truly be grateful that I can do this for so long,“ explains the 36-year-old.
These days, the Hamburger Rothenbaum is far more than a tennis stadium – it becomes a destination for the whole family during the Hamburg summer holidays. The Mercedes-Benz Signature Court, the kids' area with giant Jenga and a Bobby Car course invite the youngest visitors to join in.
Ticket Notice: All tennis fans can watch the matches on secondary courts M1 and M2 free of charge up to and including Friday. Children up to and including 10 years of age receive free entry to the Centre Court as well. Youths up to 16 years of age will only pay €10 here. On the final day, entry is free for all children and youths up to 16 years of age.
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As part of the Public Village tour, Sara Sorribes Tormo zoomed around the Rothenbaum grounds on a scooter, stopping at various stalls and testing her skills in small challenges. The Spaniard's ambition kicked in at the MSC bar's goal wall shooting, before she made the eyes of young tennis fans sparkle with a small match on the Mercedes-Benz Signature Court. Typical Hamburg classics like fish rolls and Franzbrötchen were, of course, not forgotten on the tour.
On Sunday, Austrian Sinja Kraus triumphed at her home tournament in Kitzbühel, and yesterday she was already welcomed by tournament director Sandra Reichel at Hamburg's Rothenbaum.
The 24-year-old, who is coached by German Alex Grau and is in top form, will face Daria Semenistaja from Latvia today (in the first Centre Court match of the day). In doubles, Kraus will compete alongside local favourite Tessa Brockmann.
The two local favourites, Noma Noha Akugue and Tessa Brockmann, met Alexander Otto, CEO of the ECE Group, at the Rothenbaum venue on Monday.
The ECE Group is not only supporting the tournament as a sponsor but is also once again acting as an action partner for important side events. The ECE Kids Camp, where children aged five and over can get a taste of tennis, is particularly popular. This year, a further focus will also be placed on the theme of inclusion. Together with the Alexander Otto Sport Foundation, disability sports teams from Hamburg clubs and the applicants for the Werner Otto Prize will be invited to visit the facility.
Mayar Sherif and former world number two Paula Badosa were the last players to arrive in Hamburg on Monday evening. Earlier that day, the two had duelled in the final of the WTA tournament in Iasi, Romania – with Mayar Sherif emerging victorious.
The duo then headed to the airport together to take off in a private jet towards Fuhlsbüttel and land in the north of Hamburg at around 8 PM. Welcome to Hamburg, you two!
It wasn't quite enough for the big coup in the end. The newly 16-year-old Victoria Brand, after her surprise victory at the start of the qualification against Kathinka von Deichmann, could not overcome the final hurdle to reach the main draw.
Despite a very brave and courageous performance, the Kiel athlete was defeated by Elena Pridankina 3-6, 3-6, but gained incredibly important experience for the future. We look forward to seeing you again, Victoria!
Yes, when it counts! Together with his team, Dr. Nils Proksch will be providing medical support for the players at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open. Whether it's minor injuries, treatment breaks during matches, or more serious emergencies – the team from Asklepios Kliniken is well-equipped.
Asklepios is this year's official medical partner for the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open and the Hamburg Wheelchair Open.
Balcony, garden and indoor plants from the region: Pflanzmich.de has the right flowers, trees and perennials for every taste!
With high-quality plantings, Pflanzmich.de is once again present throughout the Rothenbaum grounds this week. Whether it's the Public Village, Players Area or press area: thanks to the planting, an inviting atmosphere is created all around the Centre Court.
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!
The MSC Hamburg Ladies Open will be broadcast in Germany on Sky.
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.
