The first 4 wild cards for the tournament in Stuttgart have been offered. Two go to former Grand Slam winners

Laura Siegemund and Tatjana Maria received direct access to the main draw of this tournament, which features many important names, given that they could not have played in the qualifiers because they will represent Germany in the Billie Jean King Cup, in Brazil, on the 12th and April 13. The indoor tournament in Stuttgart, on clay, will take place between April 15 and 21.

Siegemund is the 2017 champion from Stuttgart, after defeating Romanian Simona Halep in the semifinals.

“We carefully decide who we want to support with a wild card. Being a tournament in Germany, we naturally want to take into account the responsibility we have for German women’s tennis. They don’t have a chance to enter the main draw here through qualifications.That’s why we support them with a wild card“, said the director of the tournament, Anke Huber.

Angelique Kerber, former world leader and former champion in Stuttgart, and the British Emma Răducanu, whose father is Romanian, obtained the wild cards based on the WTA criteria. Kerber, who returned to the circuit this season after giving birth, is also part of the German team that will participate in the Billie Jean King Cup in Brazil.

Nine of the top ten players in the world at the moment, led by the world leader, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, will be present in Stuttgart.

Also on Thursday, it was announced that Angelique Kerber, who has three Grand Slam titles in her record, will play in June at the tournament in Berlin, which serves as preparation for Wimbledon.

“It is always special to play in Germany, and those who know me know that I will give everything on the fieldKerber said.

Tournament director Barbara Rittner called Kerber’s participation “a highlight” and expects the former Wimbledon champion to have “a good season on grass”.

The Japanese Naomi Osaka will participate in the tournament organized between June 17 and 23 in Berlin.