Elena Rybakina has achieved her first repeat title, defeating Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a tournament she first won in 2024. This victory marks her 13th overall title, which she secured in just 78 minutes, building on her impressive start to the year following her Australian Open win in January. Notably, the winner of the tournament in Stuttgart is traditionally awarded a Porsche, which they drive onto the court. After her 2024 win, Rybakina used her prize to take and pass her driver's test the following year.
Rybakina expressed her enthusiasm for the tournament, stating, "It's an amazing tournament, we love coming back here. It really feels like home, and you just want to come back every year. Super happy for the second win here in Stuttgart and this beautiful car." Despite exuding confidence in the final, Rybakina had to overcome challenges, including saving two match points in a three-hour quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez.
This win elevates Rybakina into an exclusive group of active players who have won at least five WTA-level titles on multiple surfaces, joining Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina, and Iga Swiatek. In other news, Marta Kostyuk emerged victorious in an all-Ukrainian final against Veronika Podrez at the WTA Open de Rouen, winning 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 21 minutes to claim her second WTA singles title and first in over three years.
Kostyuk reflected on the significance of the match, saying, "This match today was not just a match, it was a historical moment for Ukrainian tennis. First time two Ukrainians playing in the final.
I know how much work, sacrifice, tears, and sweat goes into this sport, and to be able to be on this stage. So I'm incredibly proud of Ukrainian tennis right now. We have five Top 100 players, and I hope that this match, and me and Veronika, will be able to inspire more kids to try the sport, to pick up a racket for the first time and truly enjoy the emotion and passion and everything that this sport brings."