STUTTGART/WASHINGTON, April 19, 2025 (by Michael Dickens)
One among many reasons players enjoying competing at the WTA 500 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany each April is a chance to visit the Porsche Museum.
During free time away from competing on the indoor red clay in Porsche Arena, it’s one of many activities arranged by tournament organizers designed to keep players in a happy mood.
After arriving in Stuttgart, Jasmine Paolini made her first visit to the Porsche Museum last weekend – and it left a positive, lasting impression on the World No. 7 from Italy. Afterward, the diminutive, happy-go-lucky Paolini said she was impressed by the history and diversity of Porsche.
World-class tennis meets world-class engineering. @JasminePaolini made the traditional visit to the Porsche Museum today!#PTGP25 pic.twitter.com/XqCxXuZe2L
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 12, 2025
“What a beautiful museum. I like it very much,” the 29-year-old Paolini said after visiting Zuffenhausen. Paolini said she was fascinated by the Egger-Lohner C2 Phaeton, originally designed in 1898 by company founder Ferdinand Porsche. The automobile contains an octagon electric engine, which according to the manufacturer, “shows just how deeply the electric drive is anchored in the Porsche DNA.” This new insight made an impression on Paolini.
“It’s incredible,” she said. “I never thought that Porsche had produced an electric vehicle over 100 years ago.”
From her museum trip, Paolini revealed her dream Porsche is the 911 and her desired color is black. “It’s a classic,” she said, “because, you know, it’s so fast, and the line, it’s unbelievable. It’s an historic car – and I really love it.”
After reaching the quarterfinals of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix last year before losing to eventual-champion Elena Rybakina in her first appearance at the tournament, this year Paolini is through to the last eight again. She’s defeated a pair of Germans, Eva Lys and Jule Niemeier, to set up a quarterfinal showdown against World No. 3 Coco Gauff tonight at 6:30 p.m., against whom she’s 0-2 lifetime.
In an exciting second set, @JasminePaolini prevails and wins the match!#PTGP25 pic.twitter.com/Mla3HZsfWt
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 17, 2025
“Of course, they were supporting more my [German] opponents,” Paolini said, smiling, “but, you know, I also had a fan club there full of children. I’m really, really happy about the people. They are also cheering for me, so I was happy about it.
“The atmosphere is great, the tournament it’s really nice.”
Ms. Positivity in the house @JasminePaolini | #PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/YGYg3Rt3ep
— wta (@WTA) April 17, 2025
As for facing Gauff, Paolini said she and the American No. 2 have practiced a lot together in the past six months. “She’s a really tough player,” Paolini admits. “She can play really, really well.
“Her ball is so powerful. I don’t know what to expect, but for sure, I need to try to be aggressive, to try to control the point.
“But it’s not going to be easy, because she’s serving good, moving good, and returning good. She’s basically [a] very complete player.”
A good day at the office @CocoGauff puts on a focused performance to move into the quarterfinals defeating Seidel 6-1, 6-1!#PorscheTennis pic.twitter.com/jVCIIP7OEQ
— wta (@WTA) April 17, 2025
Like the other players still alive in the draw, all eyes – including Paolini’s – are on the grand prize of a brand-new Porsche Macan Turbo that will be awarded to the champion Monday afternoon. It is firmly in view for everyone to see – players and fans, alike – at one end of the Centre Court. Her possible semifinal opponent, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, has been a three-time finalist – and would love nothing better than to finally win – and her possible final opponent, Iga Swiatek of Poland, has already won tournament twice and driven off with a pair of Porsches.
While she would love to leave Stuttgart with a brand-new Porsche sports car, Paolini’s approach this week has been a pragmatic one – take it one match at a time.
“We have to [first] stay focused on the quarterfinals,” Paolini said about facing Gauff. “I have to play a good match to be into the match, to try to win some games. I have to be focused, and I have to play aggressive and be there every point.”
Hands up if you’re into the quarterfinals #PTGP25 pic.twitter.com/u2WK65WWut
— Porsche Tennis (@PorscheTennis) April 17, 2025
Saturday’s Porsche Tennis Grand Prix order of play
By the numbers
After her victory over No. 124 Ella Seidel of Germany Thursday evening, Coco Gauff has now won 16 straight matches against opponents outside the Top 100. Her last loss to a player ranked outside the Top 100 was in 2023 at Wimbledon against then-No. 128 Sofia Kenin of the United States.
“Quotable …”
“I think she’s an incredible mover and she has a a really good forehand. … Everybody knows about Jasmine and also the fight she has in her. She never gives up. I have never seen her do that on the court. It’s going to be a tough one on Saturday, but i think that it’s going to be good preparation for Roland-Garros for me.”
– World No. 4 and fourth seed Coco Gauff, during her post-match news conference Thursday, describing her quarterfinal opponent Jasmine Paolini.
