Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Only a few short months after a successful ATP rebirth as a pre-Wimbledon grasscourt event, the Mercdes Cup in Stuttgart is well advanced on planning for next summer’s reprise at the Weisenhof club. The inaugural edition of the former clay event which switched over to turf under the supervision of Wimbledon groundskeepers was won by Rafael Nadal, who also claimed a clay title at the venue back in the day.

The Spaniard could well be a candidate for a return and would be a surefire drawcard as he is all over the world. The June 4-12 edition in 2016 will be extra special, marking the centenary of the historic tournament.

“We’ve high praise for the first grass event in Stuttgart Lawn – especially from the All England Club at Wimbledon and the ATP,” said tournament boss Edwin Weindorfer. “This fills us with pride.

“But at the same time we must try to raise our level. The transition from clay was a good decision, with a sellout in four days and more than 53,000 spectators. Demand for next year’s tickets is already very strong. We are planning to increase the spectator capacity of centre court.”

Weindorfer, also the manager of German player Tommy Haas, said that the goal for organizers is to attract at least eight top 20 players into the field.

“Word is spreading about the perfect grass conditions of our event so we assume we can improve the player field. Next year’s courts will be even better as they will have had a chance to settle in. We also had out first positive talks with players at the US Open.”

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.