Dates, draws, prize money and everything to know

The WTA 500 Vanda Pharmaceuticals Berlin Tennis Open begins main-draw play on June 15 at Steffi Graf Stadium, featuring eight of the top 10 players in the PIF WTA Rankings. The event, which transitioned from a clay-court tournament to grass in recent years, offers a total prize pool of approximately €1.049 million, a 13% increase over the previous year.

Did You Know? The 2024 champion, Marketa Vondrousova, entered the tournament ranked No. 164, making her the lowest-ranked winner in the event’s history.

Tournament Field and Notable Absences

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka leads the 28-player singles field, joined by No. 4 Coco Gauff and No. 5 Jessica Pegula, who won the title in 2024. Other top-ranked participants include Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and Karolina Muchova. The draw also features 2021 champion Liudmila Samsonova, Madison Keys, and Sorana Cirstea.

Tournament organizers confirmed that Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva withdrew due to a schedule change, while Belinda Bencic pulled out following a right ankle injury. Wild cards have been issued to Eva Lys and Alexandra Eala. Serena Williams is also expected to participate in the doubles competition, with her partner to be announced.

Expert Insight: The Shift to Grass

Expert Insight: The transition of the Berlin event to a grass-court surface significantly impacts player preparation for the remainder of the season. As the tournament runs concurrently with the WTA 250 Nottingham Open, top-tier athletes must balance ranking point accumulation with the physical demands of high-intensity grass-court play. The 13% increase in prize money to €1.049 million underscores the tournament’s growing status as a premier stop on the tour.

Schedule and Prize Structure

Main-draw matches commence on June 15 following a two-day qualification period on June 13-14. The singles final is scheduled for June 21 at 12 p.m. local time, with the doubles final to follow. The singles champion will receive €161,310 and 500 ranking points, while the doubles champions are set to earn €53,510.

The draw ceremony for the singles competition takes place on June 13 at 1 p.m. local time. The doubles draw is expected to be released on the evening of June 13.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the defending champions?
Marketa Vondrousova won the 2025 singles title, while the unseeded pair of Tereza Mihalikova and Olivia Nicholls claimed the doubles title.

How many players are in the singles draw?
The singles draw consists of 28 players, including 17 direct entries, four wild cards, six qualifiers, and one special exemption.

Where can I find the full player list?
The full player list is subject to change and can be accessed via the official tournament registration page.

How do you think the increased prize money will affect the intensity of early-round matches this year?