Mercedes Cup, Stuttgart, Germany, ATP 250, 2019

[tented]

DATE: June 10-16, 2019
SURFACE: Grass
PRIZE MONEY: €679,015
FIELD SIZE: 28
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Roger Federer

Seeds:

1. Alexander Zverev
2. Karen Khachanov
3. Daniil Medvedev
4. Nikoloz Basilashvili
5. Gael Monfils
6. Milos Raonic
7. Felix Auger-Aliassime
8. Denis Shapovalov

The Tournament:

The MercedesCup, which made the switch from clay to grass from 2015, opens the extended grass-court swing alongside the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch. The first edition of the tournament in Stuttgart was held in 1898, with Mercedes-Benz assuming the role of title sponsor in 1979. There's always an added incentive for ATP Tour players to win the tournament: the champion takes home a new Mercedes-Benz.

About Stuttgart:

Stuttgart is the capital and largest city of the German state of Baden-Württemberg. Stuttgart is located on the Neckar river in a fertile valley known locally as the "Stuttgart Cauldron." It lies an hour from the Swabian Jura and the Black Forest. Its urban area has a population of 609,219, making it the sixth largest city in Germany.

Tourism Guide:

 

[tented]

The Draw:

 

[10isfan]

I’m annoyed Fed isn’t playing here. He chose to be beaten by Nadal again on clay instead of going for his 102nd title. Not a smart decision.

 

[Moxie]

I’m annoyed Fed isn’t playing here. He chose to be beaten by Nadal again on clay instead of going for his 102nd title. Not a smart decision.

Even if he'd skipped RG, do you think he'd be smart to play too much before Wimbledon? Plus, this is a fairly loaded draw, it seems to me.

 

[Fiero425]

I’m annoyed Fed isn’t playing here. He chose to be beaten by Nadal again on clay instead of going for his 102nd title. Not a smart decision.

He must not have expected to make SF in Paris! It was unlikely he'd defend his grass title if he got far into the tourney! He acquired more points this past week and temporarily ranked higher @ #2 until Rafa beat him! :whistle:

 

[GameSetAndMath]

He must not have expected to make SF in Paris! It was unlikely he'd defend his grass title if he got far into the tourney! He acquired more points this past week and temporarily ranked higher @ #2 until Rafa beat him!

His decision to not play Stuttgart was made and he announced it publicly before the start of RG. So, one can say that he expected to make a deep run at RG.

 

[don_fabio]

So much talks about Fed clay season, but I think he really made a good choice. His game is better than last year at this time. Skipping Stutgart is smart too. This draw is really loaded and there is no assurance he would win the event. One warm up 500 tourney is enough before Wimby given the fact that he played clay.

 

[isabelle]

Sruff beat shapo, FAA beat Gulbis, Brown beat Millman

 

[herios]

Denis keeps bumping into Struff and keeps losing. This was more disappointing, because on grass I have higher expectations from him than on clay.
On another note, Struff trends upwards, no question.

 

[Moxie]

Nick Kyrgios already out. Lost 3, 4 to Matteo Berrettini. Good thing he skipped RG and went straight to grass prep. SMH.

 

[Federberg]

I’m annoyed Fed isn’t playing here. He chose to be beaten by Nadal again on clay instead of going for his 102nd title. Not a smart decision.

lol! I think that Rafa "chose" to whup his ass..

Whether he played RG or not, I never wanted him to play Stuttgart so I'm happy. If he manages his schedule right 102 will come... in early July hopefully

 

[herios]

Nick Kyrgios already out. Lost 3, 4 to Matteo Berrettini. Good thing he skipped RG and went straight to grass prep. SMH.

Nice to see. I like Berrettini and I don't care about Kyrgios.

 

[JesuslookslikeBorg]

dreddy brown is in r2 after going through qualifiers..and plays zed next.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

dreddy brown is in r2 after going through qualifiers..and plays zed next.

Last year Dreddy did not even make it to MD of WImby. Hope he can get in this time.

 

[DarthFed]

He must not have expected to make SF in Paris! It was unlikely he'd defend his grass title if he got far into the tourney! He acquired more points this past week and temporarily ranked higher @ #2 until Rafa beat him! :whistle:

Semis was a worse result than round 1. The moron could have used the rest and instead he flails about and wastes energy before bending over for Nadal. He was never going to play this worthless tournament but now I want him to skip Halle.

 

[tented]

Semis was a worse result than round 1. The moron could have used the rest and instead he flails about and wastes energy before bending over for Nadal. He was never going to play this worthless tournament but now I want him to skip Halle.

Doesn’t he have a lifetime contract to play there? I seem to remember hearing that a few years ago.

 

[DarthFed]

Doesn’t he have a lifetime contract to play there? I seem to remember hearing that a few years ago.

He can always say he's hurt if need be.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Doesn’t he have a lifetime contract to play there? I seem to remember hearing that a few years ago.

Yes, he has lifetime contract. However, I think it only means that he is prohibited from playing in some other tournaments during that week. He can always sit out by coming up with some lame excuse.

p.s. However, I am in favor of him playing Halle.

 

[Moxie]

Last year Dreddy did not even make it to MD of WImby. Hope he can get in this time.

He mostly just pops up in the grass season, but the guy is a corker when he's on. Sort of C-grade Gael Monfils.

 

[isabelle]

Nick Kyrgios already out. Lost 3, 4 to Matteo Berrettini. Good thing he skipped RG and went straight to grass prep. SMH.

RG sucks....only grass maters....poor bad Nick