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Stuttgart (dpa) - The WTA tennis tournament in Stuttgart is also planning with a world-class field of participants in the coronavirus pandemic.
The top three in the world rankings and the German number one Angelique Kerber want to compete in the busy indoor event from April 17th to 25th.
For the first time, according to the organizers, the world number one Ashleigh Barty wants to be there.
The Australian had stopped traveling last year from the end of February and therefore did not play a match until the new season.
In addition, the Japanese Australian Open winner Naomi Osaka, the world number two Simona Halep from Romania and the former Spanish Wimbledon winner Garbiñe Muguruza have given their commitments, as the organizers announced on Wednesday.
The previous Czech Stuttgart winners Petra Kvitova and Karolina Pliskova are also part of the preliminary field.
The organization was "a big challenge," said tournament director Markus Günthardt.
However, the promises of top stars would add to optimism.
Whether the clay court tournament, endowed with around 465,000 euros, could take place with spectators is not yet foreseeable.
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In 2020, the WTA tournament in Stuttgart, like most of the tennis events planned in Germany, was canceled due to the coronavirus crisis.
Only the event in Hamburg was held.
In addition to Stuttgart, WTA tournaments are planned for this season in Cologne, Berlin and Bad Homburg.
For the men, Munich, Stuttgart, Halle and Hamburg are on the tournament calendar.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210224-99-571546 / 3
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