Behind the success of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is a strong team. Markus Günthardt as the Tournament Director and Anke Huber as the Operating Tournament Director have formed a successful leadership duo ever since 2005.
Markus Günthardt, himself a professional on the ATP Tour from 1978 to 1985 and a Davis Cup player for Switzerland, has been the tournament director since 2005. He remained in the game after the end of a playing career that took him to No. 40 in the world doubles rankings. First as the tournament director of the Eurocard Open and ATP Tour World Championships, later as the tournament director of the WTA Finals in Istanbul as well as the WTA Finals in Singapore and Shenzhen. His experience is also in demand on the WTA Tournament Council. He lives with his wife and two children in Madrid and Switzerland.
Anke Huber has been the Operating Tournament Director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix since 2002. The former No 4 on the WTA world rankings played her career’s stand-out match in when she and Steffi Graf contested the 1995 Masters final. One year later, she reached her only Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. During the course of her career, she won a total of 12 WTA tournaments. At the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, she won the tournament in 1991 (against Martina Navratilova) and again in 1994 (against Mary Pierce). She retired after the 2001 WTA Masters. Of the 632 matches she played, she managed to win 418. Anke Huber has two children and lives with her family in Frankenthal, Germany.
“We’ve got a fantastic crowd in Stuttgart and one that has remained loyal to us now for years. The fact that spectators were not allowed in the arena last year pained us all. The tournament needs spectators, that’s for sure. For the players, it’s also important they are sitting in the stands and not cardboard cut-outs. Our crowd gets actively involved and supports the players, not matter whether a top star or a qualifier is on court. The players know that such an atmosphere is not offered by many tournaments around the world.”
Markus Günthardt
Tournament Director
An attractive field of players, and spectators back in the arena – they are the positive signs for the 45th Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. “Organising such a tournament means you want high-class matches, an excellent ambience and enthralled spectators,” says Tournament Director Markus Günthardt. “It’s the nicest reward for the huge efforts of all the stakeholders, and it’s something we’ll be finally experiencing again this year.”
We talked to Markus Günthardt about…
…the sensational field of players with eight from the Top 10 and 17 from the Top 20:
“The starting line-up really is sensational for a WTA 500 event like ours. It’s the equivalent to the second week of a Grand Slam. The first Top 10 players confirmed their entries at the start of the year and the nearer everything got to the deadline, the more exclusive the circle became. I personally was so pleased that Iga Swiatek has decided to come to Stuttgart. Her decision came one day after her win in Indian Wells and therefore virtually at the last minute.
…the premiere of the new Porsche brand Ambassador Emma Raducanu at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix:
“Since her win last year at the US Open, she is one of the young faces that stand for the future of women’s tennis. The same goes for Cori Gauff who will also be making her debut at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. They are two teenagers that will pose a challenge to experienced players like the former winners Angelique Kerber and Karolina Pliskova – they are the duels the spectators want to watch.”
…the important role of the spectators for both the tournament and the players:
“We’ve got a fantastic crowd in Stuttgart and one that has remained loyal to us now for years. The fact that spectators were not allowed in the arena last year pained us all. The tournament needs spectators, that’s for sure. For the players, it’s also important they are sitting in the stands and not cardboard cut-outs. Our crowd gets actively involved and supports the players, not matter whether a top star or a qualifier is on court. The players know that such an atmosphere is not offered by many tournaments around the world.”
…greater spectator expectancy and how the tournament is trying to meet it:
“Expectations are increasing with every year. However, it’s a quite normal development and one that could be observed long before the pandemic. World class tennis alone does not fill arenas long term. Most visitors after all spend a whole day at the venue. They don’t only want to watch matches for hours on end but expect a selection of activities that go far beyond just tennis. It’s why we place an emphasis on an attractive supporting programme of events, and we also try to think up something new. One of the highlights this year is the badminton Bundesliga’s, Final Four tournament. The top teams compete for the German Championship on Court 1 on Friday and Saturday. We also naturally offer autograph sessions with the stars plus “have a go yourself” activities for young and old, and all this in an atmosphere in which the people feel happy in. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix has to be an event for the whole family. It’s very important for us.”
...the further development of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix:
“We strive to be the most innovative tournament on the WTA Tour, and to stay that way in the future too. We’ve always had good ideas even if it often wasn’t easy putting them into place. After moving to the Porsche Arena in 2006, we for instance installed a practice court in the middle of the Sport & Lifestyle Village so that the spectators could watch the players going about the not so spectacular part of their daily work. It was initially looked at critically by the WTA but is now seen as being exemplary. We also developed the Walk on Court whereby the players are presented like pop stars before their matches.
…what makes the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix better than other tournaments:
“Here the whole package is spot on. The Porsche Arena is a fantastic venue, then there’s the magnetism of Porsche as sponsor. The thing that’s important for the players is that our tournament opens the clay court season in Europe and is the perfect preparation for the French Open. Apart from that, we do everything to make them feel at home and that they can find conditions in which they can perform at their best. It’s something we obviously manage to do.”
…the importance of Porsche for the success of the tournament:
“Porsche has a magnetism that only few title sponsors have. The brand is a really important element in the success of the tournament. But Porsche is not only the title sponsor but also the promoter, and it’s felt throughout the venue. With Porsche’s support, we can put a coherent concept into place and one that is consistent and top notch – exactly as we envisage it. Players profit from it, as do spectators.”
“The feel-good factor plays a big part at our tournament. The players know what to expect here. They know their way around. Whenever they need something, they know who they have to turn to. For them, it’s like coming home. It’s what they tell us over and over again and for us, it’s obviously the nicest compliment going. The fact that Stuttgart is now a fixture when planning the season, is something that instills a certain amount of pride. And it‘s so nice to see them feeling at home here and knowing they like to keep coming back. And we try to anticipate the players’ every wish.”
Anke Huber
Operating Tournament Director
Women’s tennis kicked off the new season with lots of surprises and a variety of tournament winners. “It’s a fantastic development,” says Anke Huber, Operating Tournament Director of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. She is also confident that there are going to be lots of thrills in the Porsche Arena: “We’ve got a sensational field. Our spectators can look forward to top class tennis.”
We spoke to Anke Huber about…
…the quality of the starting line-up at the 2022 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix:
“The fact that we are again going to have a starting line-up that many tournaments would be envious of was on the cards well before the entry deadline. Six Top 10 players had already indicated their intention to play here, namely Barbora Krejcikova, Maria Sakkari, Anett Kontaveit, Paula Badosa, Karolina Pliskova and Ons Jabeur. They were subsequently joined by last year’s runner-up Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek, who announced her coming one day after her win in Indian Wells. With 17 players ranked in the Top 20, we’ve also got strength in depth. From a tennis point of view, it’s going to be tournament to remember.”
…Emma Raducanu and Cori Gauff’s Stuttgart debuts and Angelique Kerber’s chances of winning her third title:
“It’s always nice if we can present our spectators new faces, especially if they are such promising ones like Emma Raducanu and Cori Gauff. I’m eager to see how they get on in the strong field. And as for Angie, we know she’s particularly strong when nobody really has her on their cards. Anybody managing to win the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix twice in succession is also good for a third win.”
…the strength in depth in women’s tennis:
“It’s incredibly exciting at the moment. There’s almost always a different winner at this year’s important tournaments. We’ve also seen some major surprises like Danielle Collins getting to the final of the Australian Open. There’s enormous strength in depth at the top.”
…the new generation of players and the changing of the guard at the top:
“At the Australian Open, it was nice to see that a new generation is forming, and they are slowly closing the gaps left by, for example, Serena Williams and now unfortunately Ash Barty. I’m thinking of players like Iga Swiatek and Barbora Krejcikova, but also Maria Sakkari and Emma Raducanu after her sensational win at the US Open. If they manage to stay at the top of their game over the whole season, the future is definitely theirs.”
…the popularity of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix amongst the players:
“The feel-good factor plays a big part at our tournament. The players know what to expect here. They know their way around. Whenever they need something, they know who they have to turn to. For them, it’s like coming home. It’s what they tell us over and over again and for us, it’s obviously the nicest compliment going. The fact that Stuttgart is now a fixture when planning the season, is something that instills a certain amount of pride. And it‘s so nice to see them feeling at home here and knowing they like to keep coming back. And we try to anticipate the players’ every wish.”
…her job as Operating Tournament Director:
“I’m a kind of interface between the tournament, players and the WTA. It’s a great job and one I’ve been enjoying now for 20 years. Much has changed over the course of time, something that also applies to my job. Everything has become even more professional. The players have far more on their plates and have to do numerous additional off-court duties, like media work or being available for fans and sponsors. It also means that it’s become more challenging for me. Nevertheless, the job is still a lot of fun for me, not least because it keeps producing new challenges.”
…her contact with the players and her dealings with the stars:
“For us, all the players are important, and we look forward to everybody that comes here – no matter whether it’s the number one or the number 30. I’ve been able to build up a good relationship with most of the players over the years, especially with those that are regulars here in Stuttgart. Every player has a different personality and it’s what makes it all the more interesting. During the year, I try to stay in contact with the players, as far as it’s basically possible in these pandemic times. It often takes up a lot of time, but it’s all well worthwhile which one can once again see this year when looking at the excellent starting line-up.”
