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 marks her 13th overall title, secured in just 78 minutes, following her triumphant start to the year with a win at the Australian Open in January. Notably, the winner of the Stuttgart tournament is traditionally awarded a Porsche, which they drive onto the court. However, after her 2024 win, Rybakina had not yet obtained her driver's license, so she utilized her prize to take and pass her driving test the following year.
Rybakina expressed her enthusiasm, stating, "It's an incredible tournament, and we love returning here. It truly feels like home, and you want to come back every year. I'm super happy for my second win here in Stuttgart and this beautiful car." While she exuded confidence in the final, having reached the end of the week with three consecutive straight-set victories, Rybakina also had to save two match points in a three-hour quarter-final against Leylah Fernandez. This victory has elevated Rybakina into an elite group, making her the fourth active player to win 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. It was the first time two Ukrainians played in the final.
I know how much work, sacrifice, tears, and sweat go into this sport, and to be able to be on this stage, I'm incredibly proud of Ukrainian tennis right now. We have five Top 100 players, and I hope that this match, and my participation alongside Veronika, will inspire more kids to try the sport, pick up a racket for the first time, and truly enjoy the emotion, passion, and everything that this sport brings."