WILDCARD FOR NAOMI OSAKA: FOUR-TIME GRAND SLAM CHAMPION JOINS THE FIELD

Another Grand Slam champion and former world number one will be competing at the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt (June 21–28), which begins this Saturday: Naomi Osaka will make her debut at the fifth edition of the WTA 500 event!
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‍This means that the two most successful active major winners will be playing in the historic Kurpark: Iga Swiatek has claimed five Grand Slam titles so far, Osaka four. The 27-year-old Osaka has received a main draw wildcard – further strengthening what is already the strongest player field in the history of the Bad Homburg Open powered by Solarwatt. The Japanese star, a global icon on the WTA Tour, has won both the Australian Open (2019, 2021) and the US Open (2018, 2020) twice in her career.

Osaka is a global star and one of the mothers on the WTA Tour

‍At the 2021 Olympic Games in her home country, Osaka lit the Olympic flame as the final torchbearer in Tokyo. In July 2023, she gave birth to her daughter Shai – making her part of the growing group of mothers on the professional tour.

Maria comes as the “Queen of Queen’s” – riding high after her biggest career success

‍The player field, which features six Top 10 players, is headlined by world number three Jessica Pegula and last year’s Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini (WTA No. 5). 18-year-old rising star Mirra Andreeva (WTA No. 7), former world number one Iga Swiatek (WTA No. 8), Paula Badosa (WTA No. 9), and Emma Navarro (WTA No. 10) are also aiming to make a statement on the road to Wimbledon. The grass-court classic on Church Road begins on June 30.

Tatjana Maria arrives in Bad Homburg fresh off the biggest success of her career just three days ago at London’s Queen’s Club. The 37-year-old, a Wimbledon semifinalist in 2022, defeated two Grand Slam champions last week on her way to her first WTA 500 title. Germany’s new number one has been awarded a main draw wildcard in the spa town.

Even the qualifying matches are packed with highlights – world-class tennis starting Saturday!

‍Fans can look forward to top-tier tennis from the very first day of the tournament, as the qualifying rounds (starting Saturday) also feature outstanding talent, including two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka, 2022 Bad Homburg Open winner Katerina Siniakova, and former Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins.