The premiere was a step into the future: With the move to the new Porsche Arena a new era begins for the Porsche-Tennis-Grand-Prix. The time-honoured tournament, which has attracted the world’s top tennis players every year since 1978, has mastered this new challenge in 2006 and has launched into a new era with fresh momentum.

Porsche has accompanied Europe’s longest-standing women’s indoor tournament since 1978. Back then, it was America’s Tracy Austin, a 15-year-old teenager with plaits and braces, who advanced to become the spectators‘ absolute favourite and to embark on a brilliant career when she overcame Holland’s Betty Stove in the final. In 2002 Porsche intensified its engagement with the world-renowned tournament and additionally took over the role as organiser.

Traditionally Porsche is also present at other tennis venues around the globe. Since 2006 Porsche has been engaged as co-sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Championships, the Ladies‘ World Championships at Madrid. Since 2003 Porsche and its subsidiary Porsche Cars North America have supported the WTA Tour in North America as sponsor.

Those responsible at the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) appreciate the engagement of the successful Stuttgart automobile manufacturer. In 2004 Porsche was distinguished with the “Long Time Contribution Award“ for the company’s long-standing involvement as a sponsor and partner of the sport. The players voted the 2007 Porsche-Tennis-Grand-Prix to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour “Tournament of the Year”.

“Porsche is a fantastic partner,“ says Laura Ceccarelli, supervisor at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, “and the Porsche-Tennis-Grand-Prix is not only one of the best, but one of the most innovative events. Every year we look forward to returning to Stuttgart as a guest.“