FROM THE SEASON 2024: BAD HOMBURG OPEN POWERED BY SOLARWATT TO BECOME A WTA 500 TOURNAMENT
Bad Homburg, 11 January 2024 – Great news before the start of the first Grand Slam of the year: Following a successful bid, the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt is the latest tournament to become a WTA 500 tier-event in the revised WTA calendar structure. The elevated status marks an important milestone in the tournament’s young history which has been warmly received as part of the prestigious grass-court season since its inaugural edition in 2021.
“The change in status is a huge vote of confidence by Wimbledon and the WTA in the tournament location Bad Homburg. For us, it is an important step into the future as an integral part of the prestigious grass-court season prior to Wimbledon,” Tournament Director Aljoscha Thron stated.
Debbie Jevans, Chair of the All England Club, said: “Since the tournament’s inception in 2021, the Bad Homburg Open quickly established itself as an event of the highest quality, well supported by capacity crowds and earning praise from the players. We are delighted this success has been recognised and rewarded by elevating the tournament to WTA 500 level. The enhanced Bad Homburg Open, alongside the UK and other European grass court events, will be integral to providing the world’s leading players with the best possible preparation for The Championships, Wimbledon.”
Key Facts WTA 500: Prize Money, Ranking Points, Player Field, Media Coverage
From summer 2024 onwards, fans and supporters of the Bad Homburg event may look forward to the following adjustments as tournament operates in the WTA 500 category: The prize money for the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt (22. – 29. June 2024) will be tripled to almost $ 1 million (US dollars 923,000) with a clear pathway to equal prize money by 2027. In addition, -twice as many WTA Ranking points (500) will be awarded for the winner as in previous years. As for the player field, the revised WTA calendar will feature a strengthening of the top-tier WTA events, such as Bad Homburg, with a focus on delivering the best talent each week in a consistent and clear manner. A worldwide TV broadcast increase in up to 168 markets is guaranteed, which will put the tournament even more into the international spotlight.
Wimbledon-Champion Angelique Kerber dreams of a second Bad Homburg title in front of her home crowd
Tournament ambassador and three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber has already announced her participation for the 2024 event as part of her comeback season. In 2021, Angelique Kerber won the tournament premiere and thus created an emotional summer’s tale. “It would, of course, be a dream to build on that, especially in front of my home crowd,” said Angelique Kerber, who, after her maternity leave, has high ambitions for a second title at her home tournament in Bad Homburg.
SOLARWATT as the new Presenting Partner of the Bad Homburg Open
The Bad Homburg Open will embark into the future with a strong partner by its side, officially changing its name to Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt. As a pioneer in the field of solar energy and photovoltaics, the partnership will create the perfect synergy to tackle the various challenges of planning and implementing a sustainable event for the future.
