SWIATEK, BENCIC AND LYS TO COME – ANGELIQUE KERBER BECOMES SPORTS DIRECTOR OF THE BAD HOMBURG OPEN

A premiere, a small anniversary and plenty of top tennis: the fifth edition of the Bad Homburg Openpowered by Solarwatt (21 to 28 June 2025) will be in the spotlight more than ever before.

For the first time in its relatively short history, the grass court event is the biggest and most important WTA event in the week leading up to Wimbledon (from 30 June 2025). This unique feature sees to the top players purposefully stopping by the history-rich Kurpark on their way to the most important tennis tournament in the world.

Swiatek has the best memories: ‘The atmosphere was simply fantastic’

This year, Iga Swiatek and Belinda Bencic intend to take advantage of the exemplary conditions in Bad Homburg to optimally prepare for Wimbledon. After her four French Open triumphs in the past five years and her US Open success in 2022, the world number two, Swiatek, is dreaming of her first coup at the grass court mecca. After her debut at the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt two years ago, the Polish player raved about the atmosphere at the Kurpark: ‘The atmosphere in the stands was simply fantastic,’ Swiatekemphasized, ‘that’s not at all self-evident.’

In 2022, the 23-year old, a national hero in her home country, had the longest WTA winning streak of the 21^stcentury to date: Swiatek remained undefeated in 37 consecutive matches – following in the footsteps of icons such as Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova. Perhaps it is a good omen that the right-hander from Warsaw now relies on her coach, Wim Fissette, the Belgian who led Angelique Kerber to her Wimbledon victory in 2018.

‘Mum’ Bencic receives congratulations from ‘Mummy’ Kerber

Bencic has always had big ambitions – however, since last year, the Tokyo Olympic medallist has been pursuing them under different circumstances. In April 2024, the Swiss gave birth to her daughter Bella and has since been part of the continuously growing group of mothers on the WTA Tour. Her comeback has been impressive: in January, Bencic made it to the round of 16 at the Australian Open and recently won the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi. Images of the 27-year old holding little Bella in her arms at the victory ceremony were seen around the globe.

Of course, Kerber, who ended her professional career last year and is expecting her second child in the summer, also congratulated Bencic. Best wishes from mummy to mum, so to speak. Despite having ended her career, the former world number one keeps in touch with the active players. Kerber has even played against most of them. Another circumstance that predestines the three-time Grand Slam winner to take on the job of Sports Director at the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt with immediate effect. She forms a dual leadership team with Tournament Director Aljoscha Thron.

Kerber intends to contribute her wealth of experience – ‘Lucky Lys’ looking forward

Since the event’s debut in 2021, which she won and created a summer’s tale, Kerber has already been active as the tournament ambassador. ‘This tournament is particularly close to my heart because I have been part of it since the very beginning – from the initial planning to the implementation,’ reports the 37-year old, who views herself as the link between the tournament and its participants: ‘As a former pro, I know exactly what is important to the players and I want to bring in my wealth of experience to ensure the best possible coordination between the organiser and the player field.’

It is in Kerber’s interest, who, since this year, has also been passing on her expertise as a consultant at the German Tennis Federation (Germ. abbr. DTB), that the German number one and upcoming hopeful, Eva Lys,receives a wild card for this year’s Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt. At the beginning of the year, the 23-year old had caused quite a stir when she made it to the round of 16 at the Australian Open as a lucky loser. Her nickname since then – how could it be otherwise: ‘Lucky Lys’.

’I am unbelievably happy to be competing in Bad Homburg this year. It has always been a dream of mine to play in the main draw there the week prior to Wimbledon,’ Lys points out and explicitly praises Kerber: ‘I’ve heard that Angie has thought of everything for the players.’

A proven motto: Wimbledon flair combined with a summer festival atmosphere

Tennis fans can certainly look forward to exciting and high-quality tournament days at the picturesque site of the TC Bad Homburg. Since, due to the reform of the WTA calendar as of this season, the Top 30 players’ route to Wimbledon mandatorily goes past the Kurpark, aptly for the boutique tournament’s small anniversary, the strongest draw ever is to be expected. Another milestone in the relatively short history of the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt. And a special sign for the future of the most-visited German WTA event of the past year!

Wimbledon flair combined with a summer festival atmosphere, along with the chance to experience top tennis up close with the family – remains to be the motto regarding everything about the Kurpark in 2025. The seating capacity of the Spielbank Bad Homburg Centre Court was increased (by 250 to 3765 seats) as were those of the two Baloise match courts (by 140 to 1260 seats) which are still freely accessible, as is the Baloise Park Village, the venue for the varied framework programme.

Whether it is culinary specialities, live music performances, the beer garden, the serve speed radar or other surprises – it remains the organiser’s goal to make the fan experience a priority. Looking ahead, they will adhere to their successful core concept, i.e. yearly innovations or adjustments are a fixed part of the plan. Having secured the venue until 2029, for the time being, ensures planning stability.

One thing, however, remains certain: in 2025, Wimbledon will once again start in Bad Homburg – and this time, bigger and better!

Tickets for the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt can be purchased here.