Tamara Korpatsch Reaches Hamburg Final with Dog Stella as Lucky Charm
German tennis number one Tamara Korpatsch (31) advanced to the final of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum, her home tournament, after opponent Mayar Sherif retired injured in the semifinals. Korpatsch credited her seven-month-old Maltipoo dog Stella for emotional support throughout the event. She will face Hungary's Anna Bondar in the final. This marks Korpatsch's third WTA final appearance and her first at this tournament.
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German Tennis Fairy Tale in Hamburg: Tamara Korpatsch Wins Home Title 34 Years After Steffi Graf
Tamara Korpatsch, 31, won the Hamburg Ladies Open (WTA 250) on July 26, 2026, defeating Hungary's Anna Bondar 6:3, 6:3 in the final. It was the first German victory at Rothenbaum since Steffi Graf in 1992. Korpatsch, who was never considered a super talent and received no DTB support, traveled with her father and sometimes slept in their car to save costs. She will rise to a career-best No. 46 in the world rankings. Tournament director Sandra Reichel called the win a fairy tale, while Korpatsch celebrated with her family and dog Stella before heading to Toronto for the next tournament.
Tamara Korpatsch Wins Hamburg Ladies Open, First German Champion at Rothenbaum in 34 Years
Tamara Korpatsch, Germany's No. 1 tennis player, defeated Hungary's Anna Bondar 6:3, 6:3 in the final of the Hamburg Ladies Open (WTA 250) at Rothenbaum on July 26, 2026. The 31-year-old Hamburg native became the first German woman to win the tournament since Steffi Graf in 1992. Korpatsch, who received flowers, a crystal trophy, and €32,520 in prize money, will rise 35 places to a career-best world ranking of No. 46. She celebrated with her coach father Thomas, mother Birgit, and her puppy Stella. Korpatsch, who never received support from the German Tennis Federation and once slept in a car to save costs, described the win as a dream come true after battling illnesses and injuries that dropped her to No. 185. Tournament director Sandra Reichel called it a fairy tale, while ambassador Andrea Petković noted Korpatsch always stood in the shadows. The event also featured an ITF wheelchair tennis tournament and inclusion events, drawing about 20,000 fans.
Tamara Korpatsch Ends 34-Year German Drought at Hamburg Ladies Open
Tamara Korpatsch won the Hamburg Ladies Open, a WTA 250 tournament, on July 26, 2026, becoming the first German woman to triumph at Rothenbaum since Steffi Graf in 1992. The 31-year-old Hamburg native defeated Hungary's Anna Bondar 6:3, 6:3 in the final, earning €32,520 in prize money and breaking into the world top 50 for the first time. Korpatsch displayed strong form throughout the tournament, overcoming a tense quarterfinal against Anhelina Kalinina and benefiting from a retirement in the semifinal against Mayar Sherif. The event also featured an exhibition match between Martina Hingis and Andrea Petkovic, and the inaugural Hamburg Wheelchair Open, won by Lizzy de Greef.
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Tamara Korpatsch Reaches First Hamburg Final After Opponent Retires
German tennis professional Tamara Korpatsch, 31, has reached the final of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open for the first time in her career, fulfilling a dream at her home tournament. In the semifinal, she benefited from the retirement of Egyptian opponent Mayar Sherif, who was trailing 6:1, 2:0 due to a left leg injury. Korpatsch expressed disappointment at the manner of victory but noted she had played 'almost perfect' tennis. She will face Hungary's Anna Bondar in Sunday's final. Bondar, a regular finalist at Rothenbaum, advanced after a grueling 3-hour-29-minute semifinal victory over Elina Avanesyan, saving three match points. Korpatsch, who plays for Club an der Alster in Hamburg, is competing in her third WTA final and aims to win the title with prize money of 247,674 euros.
Opponent Forced to Retire: Korpatsch Cool-Headed in Rothenbaum Final
German tennis professional Tamara Korpatsch (31) reached her first career final at the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open, her home tournament, after opponent Mayar Sherif (30) retired due to a left knee injury at 6-1, 2-0. Korpatsch, Germany's number one, expressed disappointment for Sherif but noted she played 'almost perfect' tennis. The final on Sunday will be against Hungary's Anna Bondar (29), who defeated Elina Avanesyan in a 3-hour-29-minute marathon after saving three match points. Korpatsch's dog Stella watched from the stands. This is Korpatsch's third WTA final appearance.
Tamara Korpatsch Reaches Rothenbaum Semifinals with Puppy Lucky Charm
German tennis No. 1 Tamara Korpatsch (31) reached the semifinals of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum for the first time, defeating second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina 6:3, 1:6, 6:1. The victory propelled her into the world top 70 for the first time. Korpatsch credited her 7-month-old Malipoo puppy Stella, who watched from a pink dog bag in her box, as a lucky charm. During a difficult second set, a glance at the calm puppy lifted her spirits. She also found a missing tournament pin from Madeira during a bathroom break, which she attached to her bag for good luck. Korpatsch will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the semifinals, who has won 13 consecutive matches. Korpatsch won their last meeting in Rome after a 3.5-hour battle. She expressed determination to stay until the end at her home tournament.
Tamara Korpatsch Reaches Hamburg Ladies Open Semifinals with Puppy Lucky Charm
German tennis number one Tamara Korpatsch (31) reached the semifinals of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum for the first time in her career, defeating second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine 6:3, 1:6, 6:1. The victory propelled Korpatsch into the world top 70 for the first time. Korpatsch credited her seven-month-old Malipoo puppy Stella as a lucky charm, saying the dog's calm presence and sweet looks helped her during tough moments. She also found a missing tournament pin from Madeira during a bathroom break, which she attached to her bag for good luck. Korpatsch will face Egyptian Mayar Sherif in the semifinals, who has won 13 consecutive matches. Korpatsch previously defeated Sherif in a three-and-a-half-hour match in Rome. The German expressed confidence playing at home and vowed to stay until the end with Stella's support.
Tamara Korpatsch Reaches German Top Spot After Curbing On-Court Chatter
Tamara Korpatsch (31), long in the shadow of other German players and without DTB support, has risen to become Germany's top-ranked female tennis player at world No. 81. At the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum, she is the only German in the quarterfinals. Korpatsch attributes her recent success partly to curbing her habit of talking negatively to herself during matches, a change her father encouraged by telling her to 'turn off Radio Hamburg.' She now focuses on constructive self-talk. In the quarterfinals, she faces second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina (No. 57) from Ukraine. A win would push Korpatsch into the top 70 for the first time in her career. Her new Maltipoo dog Stella has also brought positive energy.
Tennis at Rothenbaum: Korpatsch on All Fours into Quarterfinals
German tennis player Tamara Korpatsch, ranked as the country's No. 1, advanced to the quarterfinals of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum for the second time in her career. She defeated 18-year-old wildcard Julia Stusek in a three-set match (6:0, 3:6, 6:3) lasting 2 hours and 1 minute. Korpatsch struggled with cold and humid conditions, suffering foot cramps, but sealed the win with a sixth break of serve. Her seven-month-old Maltipoo dog Stella, dressed in a pink and white plush suit, watched from the stands. Korpatsch expressed joy at having her dog for emotional support. She will face second-seeded Anhelina Kalinina of Ukraine in the quarterfinals on Friday.
Tamara Korpatsch Advances at Rothenbaum with Help from Her Dog Stella
German tennis pro Tamara Korpatsch (31) reached the second round of the MSC Hamburg Ladies Open at Rothenbaum after a dramatic first-round match against Victoria Jimenez Kasintseva (20) of Andorra. Korpatsch lost the first set 4-6 and trailed 1-3 in the second before rallying to win 7-5. In the third set, Kasintseva retired due to severe calf cramps with Korpatsch leading 1-0. Korpatsch credited her seven-month-old mixed-breed dog Stella, who sat calmly under a chair in the players' box, for helping her manage pre-match nerves. In the second round, Korpatsch will face German wildcard Julia Stusek (18). Meanwhile, Noma Noha Akugue (22) also advanced by defeating Valentina Steiner, climbing to a career-high ranking of at least world No. 136. Jule Niemeier and Mona Barthel were eliminated in other matches.