STUTTGART/STARNBERG, June 5, 2026
The player field for the 2026 BOSS OPEN in Stuttgart has undergone significant changes ahead of the tournament, which begins with qualifying on Saturday. The developments are largely the result of the ongoing French Open, where several top players have advanced deeper than expected.
German No. 1 Alexander Zverev, Czech star Jakub Mensik and Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, all of whom reached the semifinals in Paris, have withdrawn from the ATP grass-court event at the Weissenhof in order to focus on their campaigns at Roland Garros.
As a result, World No. 5 Ben Shelton now heads the seeding list for the €768,220 tournament. The US-American is followed by defending champion and BOSS ambassador Taylor Fritz, Kazakhstan’s Alexander Bublik and Czech Jiri Lehecka. All four players receive first-round byes. Completing the top eight seeds are Tommy Paul, Frances Tiafoe, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Corentin Moutet.
“It is completely understandable that Alexander Zverev is focusing entirely on the French Open,” said Tournament Director Edwin Weindorfer. “We wish him all the best for the final in Paris and will be following it closely. A Roland Garros title for Sascha would be a tremendous boost for German tennis.”
The withdrawals have also benefited several German players. Yannick Hanfmann, Daniel Altmaier, Jan-Lennard Struff and last year’s quarterfinalist Justin Engel are now guaranteed places in the main draw.
Former Stuttgart champion Matteo Berrettini has also been forced to pull out after suffering a hip injury during his French Open quarterfinal against fellow Italian Matteo Arnaldi. His withdrawal leaves additional wildcard opportunities available. So far, only one of the tournament’s three wildcards has been awarded, going to Australian showman Nick Kyrgios, whose last ATP Tour singles appearance came earlier this year in Brisbane.
Despite the late changes, Weindorfer remains confident in the strength of the field.
“We have a very strong and attractive lineup,” he said. “Ben Shelton has already won ATP 500 titles in Dallas and Munich this season, while Taylor Fritz is one of the best grass-court players in the world. Alexander Bublik, Frances Tiafoe and Nick Kyrgios are all capable of producing spectacular tennis. It is also important for us to have four German players directly in the main draw.”
The doubles competition will also feature strong German representation. Munich champions Jakob Schnaitter and Mark Wallner are among the favorites, while Daniel Altmaier and Justin Engel, as well as Yannick Hanfmann and Jan-Lennard Struff, will compete as all-German teams. Constantin Frantzen will partner Dutch veteran Robin Haase.
