1990 · 1991 · 1992 · 1993 · 1994 · 1995 · 1996 · 1997 · 1998 · 1999

1990  

Finals: Mary Joe Fernandez (USA) - Barbara Paulus (A)

6:1 6:3
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
Prize Money: $350,000

The guests could relax from the excitement of watching the tournament in an even bigger, more attractive and much improved restaurant area. This year's line-up included six top-ten players and promised to satisfy even the highest expectations. Last year's champion, Gabriela Sabatini, had just gained confidence after winning her first Grand Slam against Steffi Graf (6-2, 7-6) in the US Open. The 16-year-old Monica Seles, eager for action, returned to Filderstadt where, in 1989, she had to give up in the quarter finals. Zina Garrison, ten years her senior, had experienced a late victory in Wimbledon that summer. But in the end things turned out entirely differently: the Austrian Barbara Paulus surprised everyone when she reached the Filderstadt finals. This time it was Mary Joe Fernandez (USA) who added a second win to her very first and still very recent victory in Tokyo.

1991  

Finals: Anke Huber (D) - Martina Navratilova (USA)

2:6 6:2 7:6
Championship Prize: Porsche 968 Cabriolet
Prize Money: $350,000

Some people claim that never before and never again did spectators celebrate a winner with so much enthusiasm and joy as they celebrated Anke Huber in this year. Even the fairest spectators may be forgiven for a hint of patriotism. After all this was the first time they could cheer a German winner at the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix. Anke Huber beat no one less than the famous Martina Navratilova, who after five victories considered the indoor tennis centre in Weilerhau as playing on home ground.

However, the Karlsdorf-born player did not let herself be put off, she stayed calm and played indefatigably and finally got what she wanted. She had always been labelled as shy, plain and somewhat conventional. And then a new Anke presented herself: open, cheerful, more serene, with a zest for life and an interest in fashion photography, stylish cars and disco-dancing. After her (first) separation from her tennis colleague Andrej Medwedew she made a carefree confession: "I am still looking for the love of my life." For the time being, however, the Porsche would do nicely.

1992  

Finals: Martina Navratilova (USA) - Gabriela Sabatini (ARG)

7:6 6:3
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Cabriolet
Prize Money: $350,000

The finals coincided with her 36th birthday - and she gave herself the best present of all: Martina Navratilova won her sixth (and last) title at the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix. A new, sophisticated clubhouse welcomed the players this year with an even more comfortable atmosphere to relax in between the matches. And the local community of Filderstadt had made friends with the world-class tournament that annually descended upon Plattenhardt, a part of Filderstadt, and more particularly the quiet residential area of Weilerhau, like a fascinating yet occasionally hectic.

Dieter Fischer had shaken off many an attack: gatherings of the citizens and protests of the local residents. Despite opposition from some members of the district council, the neighbour TSV Plattenhardt and notwithstanding a series of arguments with the forestry commission and the association for the protection of the countryside Dieter Fischer eventually succeeded in realising his life's work.

1993  

Finals: Mary Pierce (F) - Natascha Zwerewa (RUS)

6:3 6:3
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera Coupé
Prize Money: $375,000

Mary Pierce came, looked and won: the Canadian who played for France, took Centre Court of the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix by storm. In the end not only the experts were enthused: a star was born. Her serves were fast as arrows and well-placed; her ground strokes were hard and low and revealed a sense of dynamic aggression; without any preferences for or dislikes of specific surfaces she played with tremendous passion. At least this is what was visible to the outsider. But what was behind the scenes was less pleasant: her father Jim Pierce had drilled and pushed her and it was vital for Mary Pierce to liberate herself from her father's rule. In Filderstadt she celebrated her first tournament win in the absence of her father and won a car that suited her temperament perfectly.

Meanwhile, behind the scenes of Centre Court a major decision was made: title-sponsor Porsche and the organiser of the tournament, Dieter Fischer, extended their contract beyond 1993 for another four years. This could by no means be taken for granted. In October 1992, when Porsche AG was encountering some financial difficulties, Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking had been appointed chairman with the brief to get Porsche up to speed again. About the same time Anton Hunger had been put in charge of the PR department. It is his department that sponsors the Tennis Grand Prix. Those in charge were questioning their social responsibility: is it justifiable to spend money on a tennis tournament at a time when job cuts are inevitable?

After careful consideration they answered this question with 'Yes'. Their decision had been inspired by the optimistic conviction that Porsche's commitment to this partnership will have a positive psychological effect upon and increase the motivation of the work force as well as the public at large. From today's vantage point, it was a very wise decision indeed.

1994  

Finals: Anke Huber (D) - Mary Pierce (F)

6:4 6:2
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
Prize money: $400,000

Anke Huber showed she was in excellent form and won the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix for the second time. The success of the player from Karlsdorf was celebrated with cheering and standing ovations, yet there was a touch of melancholy in the air at Filderstadt.

Three days before her 38th birthday the hosts and the spectators celebrated Martina Navratilova's farewell from the European stage of tennis in Filderstadt. It was here, where one of the greatest sportswomen of the twentieth century had won six titles as well as the hearts of the spectators. Taking stock of her tennis career, she had won 167 women's singles matches, amongst them 18 Grand Slams and 20 million dollars in prize money. In Filderstadt the Grande Dame of tennis was simply known as "Martina". She toasted her fans with a glass of champagne - and host Dieter Fischer thanked her for her loyalty to the tournament by giving her a special farewell present - a Porsche 911 Carrera 4.

1995  

Finals: Iva Majoli (CRO) - Gabriela Sabatini (ARG)

6:4 7:6
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Targa
Prize Money: $430,000

Iva Majoli had just turned eighteen and had passed her driving licence just in time. What else is needed to win the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix? In order to be able to drive the Porsche 911 Targa off the tennis court herself, the Croatian player first had to win a couple of important matches against some world-class competitors.

The commitment of Porsche AG to top-class women's tennis met with considerable public acclaim amongst Porsche's clients (and not just amongst them): a survey revealed that eighty percent of all male and female Porsche-owners are interested in tennis or even play tennis themselves.

1996  

Finals: Martina Hingis (CH) - Anke Huber (D)

6:2 3:6 6:3
Championship Prize: Porsche Boxster
Prize Money: $450,000

The twentieth anniversary of the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix coincided with the year in which Filderstadt celebrated the victory of a new Martina: Martina Hingis - just seventeen and therefore still without a driving licence - fulfilled her mother's dream by winning the most recent Porsche model that had just come on to the market. Of course she also fulfilled her own dream: with her Grand Prix victory she broke through the barrier and moved into the top ten of the world rankings. Just a year later statisticians noted: to the top in just 1106 days.

The Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix also made it to the top: the women tennis players' association, WTA, awarded the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix the title of "the world's best women's tournament of 1995".

1997  

Finals: Martina Hingis (CH) - Lisa Raymond (USA)

6:4 6:2
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera
Prize Money: $450,000

Martina Hingis returned to Weilerhau as a world famous star and lived up to her reputation as the world's number one tennis player when she emerged triumphant again. This time she was allowed to take the driving seat herself. Television coverage of the event changed from regional to national: The Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix was no longer broadcast by the German Süddeutscher Rundfunk, but by one of Germany´s major sports channels, Deutsche Sportfernsehen (DSF).

1998  

Finals: Sandrine Testud (F) - Lindsay Davenport (USA)

6:4 6:1
Championship Prize: Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet
Prize Money: $450,000

Host Dieter Fischer celebrates his 60th birthday. Much to his delight, for the first time since 1985 Stefanie Graf signs up for the Grand Prix. Later a hand injury prevents her comeback in Filderstadt.

Professor Ferdinand "Ferry" Porsche, the Grand Prix's great friend and sponsor, died. He last appeared in 1996 when he handed over the prize - a Boxster - to the young Martina Hingis. His seat in the grandstand remained empty.

1999  

Finals: Martina Hingis (CH) - Mary Pierce (F)

6:4 6:1
Championship Prize: Porsche Boxster S
Prize Money: $500,000

Tennis is not just about spectacular rallies. There are other things too that give spectators pleasure. It happened in the first interval of the finals between Martina Hingis and Mary Pierce, when the tennis centre was filled with applause for one of their colleagues who was sitting on the VIP rostrum next to the Porsche chairman Dr. Wendelin Wiedeking: a few weeks after her official resignation from championship tennis, Stefanie Graf came to Filderstadt to watch the tournament. Martina Hingis raised her racquet pointing in the direction of her former foe as if she wanted to say: "Come down and play for me." Steffi Graf laughed and refused the offer. She had in the meantime established herself as a keen observer of tennis, a sport that she had dominated for a decade.

The fun with the finals did not last very long: Martina Hingis seemed to be in a bit of a hurry to cut her sixth appearance at the Porsche Tennis-Grand-Prix short and win her third Porsche. And yet later she claimed: "I have become much more patient."