Great news: Steffi Graf becomes patron of the bett1open

The stadium bears her name. This is where Stefanie Graf won her first tournament, and this on her native German soil 1986. She went on to win a total of nine titles here. On the way to becoming an icon of her sport, the WTA tournament in Berlin was always a very important stage. Before her first triumph at a Grand Slam tournament, the French Open in 1987, she won at the LTTC "Rot-Weiß" in Berlin, giving her the confidence to take on the best in Paris. In short, tennis legend Stefanie Graf has a very close relationship with the German capital and says: “Berlin has played a special role in my career from the very beginning." 

And that's why the 22-time Grand Slam winner is now taking on a very special role for her part in the tournament that was so important on her way to becoming a world-class player. 

Stefanie Graf becomes patron of the bett1open in Berlin! 

Following in the footsteps of former German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, Stefanie Graf (52) thus moves into this exposed role. Superstars Naomi Osaka and Andrea Petkovic have already signed up to compete with the world's best players on the excellent grass courts in Berlin's Grunewald forest from June 11-19 at the bett1open, which is endowed with a total prize of US$768,680. 

Tournament director Barbara Rittner has been friends with Stefanie Graf since their professional years together. She is thrilled that the record Grand Slam winner is now returning as patron, all that more than a quarter of a century after her last tournament victory in Berlin in 1996. "Stefanie is an incredibly down-to-earth, reliable and grateful person. Berlin and Stefanie Graf, that is its own success story. It is a special appreciation for the tournament that she is now taking over the patronage", Rittner said at the presentation of the patronage at the Titanic Hotel in Berlin. The Titanic Hotel Group is a cooperation partner of the bett1open. 

Adam Szpyt is the founder and CEO of bett1, the title sponsor of the bett1open. He explained: “Stefanie Graf's commitment to our tournament is both an honor and an obligation for us. We are very grateful that Mrs. Graf is supporting us in our efforts to make Berlin a world-class location on the tennis calendar once again." Speaking of the calendar. Stefanie Graf's 53rd birthday is on June 14, so it falls into the tournament week. 

That's why Edwin Weindorfer, CEO and founder of the e|motion group, which is organizing the tournament, revealed: "We will of course honor Stefanie Graf's birthday with special ticketing promotions." 

For example, 2x2 VIP upgrades for June 14 will be raffled. Anyone who purchases tickets for June 14th in the online store from March 4 to April 4 will be entered into the draw and has a chance to win the VIP upgrades. 

In addition, there is the "5-for-4 promotion" for June 14th. Anyone who purchases five tickets for June 14th in the online store between March 4 and April 4 only has to pay the price for 4 tickets! 

The stands of the atmospherically impressive Steffi Graf Stadium will be packed during the tournament week. Thankfully, as things currently stand in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, it can be assumed that there will be no spectator restrictions. Weindorfer says: "It is significant for various reasons to enjoy atmospheric experiences together again. Be it sports or culture. Especially in these difficult times, living together is important. Our tournament is also a place for international exchange, far beyond national borders and confession." 

A high-quality music and cultural program of international standard is therefore integrated into the bett1open. In addition, together with the Tennis Association Berlin-Brandenburg, a large Kids Festival is planned, where the youngest players will be involved in the tournament with games and sports. 

Berlin can therefore look forward to a colorful and high-class tennis week, in which top performances and the best entertainment are guaranteed both on and off the court. 

The Wimbledon tournament starts one week after the bett1open final. This makes the top tournament in the German capital even more attractive as preparation for the Championships in London.