Elena Rybakina added another trophy to her collection by defeating Karolina Muchova 7-5, 6-1 in the final of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, marking her second triumph at the Stuttgart event after her inaugural victory in 2024. The Kazakh star clinched her 13th career title in just under an hour and a half of play – 78 minutes to be exact – reinforcing the dominant start she has enjoyed this season, which already includes a Grand Slam win at the Australian Open earlier in January. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix is famous not only for its high‑level competition but also for the unique prize awarded to the champion: a brand‑new Porsche that the winner drives onto the court for a celebratory lap.
Rybakina’s 2024 win came before she had completed the necessary driver’s examination, so she used the car as a practical tool to study for and pass her test the following year, finally earning the right to take the vehicle for a spin under its own power. Reflecting on her connection with the tournament, Rybakina said, "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." Her remarks underscored the affection she feels for the German venue, where she has now become a familiar and beloved figure. The road to the title was not without drama.
While Rybakina breezed through the earlier rounds with three consecutive straight‑set victories, the quarter‑final proved to be a stern test of her resolve. Facing Leylah Fernandez, she found herself on the brink of defeat, having to fend off two match points during a grueling three‑hour encounter. Rybakina’s composure under pressure allowed her to turn the tide, eventually prevailing and preserving her path to the final.
Her victory places her among a very select group of active players who have amassed at least five WTA titles on more than one surface. Only three other women – Venus Williams, Elina Svitolina and Iga Świątek – share this distinction, highlighting Rybakina’s versatility and consistency across clay, grass and hard courts.
Beyond Rybakina’s headline‑making win, the Stuttgart weekend featured other notable performances. On Sunday, Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk captured the WTA Open de Rouen title, defeating compatriot Veronika Podrez in an all‑Ukrainian final.
Kostyuk secured the match 6-3, 6-4 in just 81 minutes, earning her second WTA singles crown and her first in more than three years. She described the encounter as a historic moment for Ukrainian tennis, emphasizing the significance of having two players from her nation contest a final. "This match today was not just a match," Kostyuk said. "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." Kostyuk also expressed hope that her and Podrez’s achievement would inspire a new generation of Ukrainian youngsters to pick up a racket and experience the joy and passion of the sport. She noted that Ukraine now boasts five players inside the Top 100, and moments like these could further fuel the country’s tennis development.
For fans eager to follow the ongoing action, tennis scores, upcoming fixtures and video highlights are available across various platforms. Viewers can stream matches without a contract via NOW, stay updated with the Sky Sports app for news and video content, or watch live ATP and WTA events on Sky Sports.
Detailed information on how to access these services can be found on the respective provider’s websites. In summary, Elena Rybakina’s repeat victory at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix not only adds another prestigious title to her résumé but also cements her status as one of the sport’s most adaptable and resilient competitors. Her ability to overcome a near‑defeat in the quarter‑final, combined with her consistent performance across multiple surfaces, underscores a season that promises even greater achievements as she continues to chase further Grand Slam glory. Meanwhile, Marta Kostyuk’s triumph in Rouen highlights the rising prominence of Ukrainian tennis on the global stage, offering a hopeful glimpse into the future of the game in that region.