The German Open, known as the Berlin Tennis Open (previously the ecotrans Ladies Open, bett1open) is an annual WTA Tour professional tennis tournament for women held in Berlin, Germany. It was played in West Berlin, West Germany (until 1990), then in Berlin from 1991 to 2008 on clay, and since 2021 on grass, following reunification.

Held since 1896, it is one of the oldest tournaments for women. Until 1978 the tournament was held in Hamburg together with the men's tournament. From 1988 until 2008, it was classified on the WTA Tour as a Tier I tournament. Since 2021, it is classed as a WTA 500 tournament.

After an absence of more than a decade, the tournament was announced to return to the WTA calendar for the 2020 season as the Grass Court Championships Berlin. However, the event was cancelled in April 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and it returned in 2021 as the bett1open. The new event is classified as a Premier-level tournament and serves as a warm-up event towards the Wimbledon Championships, having switched its surface from clay to grass.

Since 2021, there is a WTA tour tournament in Hamburg, the Hamburg Open, but it is played on outdoor clay courts and has nothing to do with the former tournament that is now held in Berlin.

History

Past champions of the tournament include former world number ones Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Arantxa Sánchez Vicario, Martina Hingis, Amélie Mauresmo, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Dinara Safina.

Past finals

Singles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
↓ Hamburg (Clay) ↓
1896German Empire Maren ThomsenGerman Empire E. Lantzius6–3, 6–2, 7–5
1897United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Blanche HillyardUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Charlotte Cooper6–3, 6–2, 6–2
1898United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Elsie LaneUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Toupie Lowther7–5, 7–5
1899United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Charlotte CooperGerman Empire Clara von der Schulenburg7–5, 6–4
1900United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Blanche Hillyard (2)United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Muriel Robb2–6, 8–6, 7–5
1901United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Toupie LowtherUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Gladys Dudell6–0, 6–0
1902German Empire Mary RoßGerman Empire Hilda Meyer8–6, 6–0
1903United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Violet PinckneyGerman Empire Hilda Meyer6–2, 6–1
1904United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Elsie Lane (2)German Empire L. Bergmann6–3, 6–0
1905United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Elsie Lane (3)German Empire K. Krug6–0, 6–1
1906German Empire Luise BertonUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Margaret Dewsbury4–6, 6–3, 6–1
1907Austria-Hungary Margit von MadaraszGerman Empire Hedwig Neresheimer7–5, 0–6, 6–2
1908Austria-Hungary Margit von Madarasz (2)United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Rosamund Salusbury2–6, 6–4, 6–0
1909German Empire Anita HeimannGerman Empire Mieken Rieck6–4, 0–6, 6–4
1910German Empire Mieken RieckGerman Empire Dora Köring6–1, 6–3
1911German Empire Mieken Rieck (2)Norway Molla Bjurstedt6–1, 4–6, 6–1
1912German Empire Dora KöringGerman Empire Anita Heimann6–2 6–2
1913German Empire Dora Köring (2)Austria-Hungary Hedwig Neresheimer von Satzger6–4, 6–4
1914- 1919Not held
1920Germany Ilse FriedlebenGermany Lilly Müller Vormann6–0, 6–0
1921Germany Ilse Friedleben (2)Germany Daisy Uhl9–7, 6–1
1922Germany Ilse Friedleben (3)Germany Nelly Neppach6–2, 6–1
1923Germany Ilse Friedleben (4)Germany Nelly Neppach2–6, 9–7, 7–5
1924Germany Ilse Friedleben (5)Germany Nelly Neppach6–2, 1–6, 6–3
1925Germany Nelly NeppachGermany Ilse Friedleben2–6, 6–4, 10–8
1926Germany Ilse Friedleben (6)Germany Nelly Neppach5–7, 6–4, 6–2
1927Germany Cilly AussemGermany Ilse Friedleben6–3, 6–3
1928Australia Daphne AkhurstGermany Cilly Aussem2–6, 6–0, 6–4
1929Germany Paula von ReznicekUnited Kingdom Violet Chamberlain6–2, 4–6, 6–0
1930Germany Cilly Aussem (2)Germany Hilde Krahwinkel6–4, 6–4
1931Germany Cilly Aussem (3)Germany Irmgard Rost6–1, 6–2
1932Switzerland Lolette PayotGermany Hilde Krahwinkel6–2, 1–6, 6–4
1933Nazi Germany Hilde KrahwinkelFrance Sylvie Jung Henrotin6–2, 6–1
1934Nazi Germany Hilde Sperling (2)Nazi Germany Cilly Aussem6–2, 6–3
1935Nazi Germany Hilde Sperling (3)Nazi Germany Cilly Aussem9–7, 6–0
1936Not held (due to Berlin Olympic Games)
1937Nazi Germany Hilde Sperling (4)Nazi Germany Marie-Louise Horn4–6, 6–2, 6–2
1938Nazi Germany Hilde Sperling (5)United Kingdom Margot Lumb6–1, 6–0
1939Nazi Germany Hilde Sperling (6)Kingdom of Yugoslavia Hella Kovac6–0, 6–1
1940- 1947Not held
1948Allied-occupied Germany Ursula RosenowAllied-occupied Germany Inge Pohmann6–2, 8–6
1949Argentina Mary Terán de WeissWest Germany Inge Pohmann6–2, 6–8, 9–7
1950United States Dorothy HeadWest Germany Ursula Heidtmann6–3, 6–0
1951Australia Nancye BoltonArgentina Mary Terán de Weiss6–3, 6–3
1952United States Dorothy Head (2)West Germany Erika Vollmer6–1, 6–3
1953United States Dorothy Knode (3)United Kingdom Joy Mottram6–0, 4–6, 6–4
1954United Kingdom Joy MottramWest Germany Inge Pohmann2–6, 7–5, 6–2
1955Australia Beryl PenroseWest Germany Erika Vollmer6–4, 6–4
1956Australia Thelma LongItaly Silvana Lazzarino7–5, 6–2
1957Mexico Yola RamírezMexico Rosie Reyes7–5, 6–3
1958Australia Lorraine CoghlanUnited Kingdom Shirley Bloomer6–4, 7–5
1959West Germany Edda BudingHungary Zsuzsa Körmöczywalkover
1960South Africa Sandra ReynoldsBrazil Maria Bueno7–5, 8–6
1961South Africa Sandra Reynolds (2)Mexico Yola Ramírez5–7, 7–5, 6–1
1962South Africa Sandra Reynolds Price (3)United Kingdom Ann Haydon4–6, 6–3, 7–5
1963South Africa Renée SchuurmanAustralia Lesley Turner6–4, 1–6, 6–3
1964Australia Margaret SmithBrazil Maria Bueno6–1, 6–1
1965Australia Margaret Smith (2)West Germany Edda Buding6–3, 6–2
1966Australia Margaret Smith (3)Brazil Maria Bueno8–6, 6–3
1967France Françoise DürrAustralia Lesley Turner6–4, 6–4
1968South Africa Annette Van ZylAustralia Judy Tegart6–1, 7–5
1969Australia Judy TegartWest Germany Helga Niessen6–3, 6–4
1970West Germany Helga Schultze-HöslWest Germany Helga Niessen6–3, 6–3
1971United States Billie Jean KingWest Germany Helga Masthoff6–3, 6–2
1972West Germany Helga MasthoffUnited States Linda Tuero6–3, 3–6 8–6
1973West Germany Helga Masthoff (2)South Africa Pat Walkden Pretorius6–4, 6–1
1974West Germany Helga Masthoff (3)Czechoslovakia Martina Navratilova6–4, 5–7, 6–3
1975Czechoslovakia Renáta TomanováJapan Kazuko Sawamatsu7–6, 5–7, 10–8
1976United Kingdom Sue BarkerCzechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová6–3, 6–1
1977United States Laura duPontWest Germany Heidi Eisterlehner6–1, 6–4
1978Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima JaušovecRomania Virginia Ruzici6–2, 6–3
↓ West Berlin (Clay) ↓
1979United States Caroline StollCzechoslovakia Regina Maršíková7–6(7–4), 6–0
1981Czechoslovakia Regina MaršíkováArgentina Ivanna Madruga-Osses6–2, 6–1
1980Not held to make room for Federation Cup which took place at same location.
1982West Germany Bettina BungeUnited States Kathy Rinaldi6–2, 6–2
1983United States Chris Evert-LloydUnited States Kathleen Horvath6–4, 7–6(7–1)
1984West Germany Claudia Kohde-KilschUnited States Kathleen Horvath7–6(10–8), 6–1
1985United States Chris Evert-Lloyd (2)West Germany Steffi Graf6–4, 7–5
1986West Germany Steffi GrafUnited States Martina Navratilova6–2, 6–3
1987West Germany Steffi Graf (2)West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch6–2, 6–3
1988West Germany Steffi Graf (3)Czechoslovakia Helena Suková6–3, 6–2
1989West Germany Steffi Graf (4)Argentina Gabriela Sabatini6–3, 6–1
1990Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Monica SelesWest Germany Steffi Graf6–4, 6–3
↓ Berlin (Clay) ↓
1991Germany Steffi Graf (5)Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario6–3, 4–6, 7–6(8–6)
1992Germany Steffi Graf (6)Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario4–6, 7–5, 6–2
1993Germany Steffi Graf (7)Argentina Gabriela Sabatini7–6(7–3), 2–6, 6–4
1994Germany Steffi Graf (8)Netherlands Brenda Schultz7–6(8–6), 6–4
1995Spain Arantxa Sánchez VicarioBulgaria Magdalena Maleeva6–4, 6–1
1996Germany Steffi Graf (9)Slovakia Karina Habšudová4–6, 6–2, 7–5
1997United States Mary Joe FernándezFrance Mary Pierce6–4, 6–2
1998Spain Conchita MartínezFrance Amélie Mauresmo6–4, 6–4
1999Switzerland Martina HingisFrance Julie Halard-Decugis6–0, 6–1
2000Spain Conchita Martínez (2)South Africa Amanda Coetzer6–1, 6–2
2001France Amélie MauresmoUnited States Jennifer Capriati6–4, 2–6, 6–3
2002Belgium Justine HeninUnited States Serena Williams6–2, 1–6, 7–6(7–5)
2003Belgium Justine Henin (2)Belgium Kim Clijsters6–4, 4–6, 7–5
2004France Amélie Mauresmo (2)United States Venus Williamswalkover
2005Belgium Justine Henin (3)Russia Nadia Petrova6–3, 4–6, 6–3
2006Russia Nadia PetrovaBelgium Justine Henin4–6, 6–4, 7–5
2007Serbia Ana IvanovicRussia Svetlana Kuznetsova3–6, 6–4, 7–6(7–4)
2008Russia Dinara SafinaRussia Elena Dementieva3–6, 6–2, 6–2
2009– 2019Not held
↓ Berlin (Grass) ↓
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021Russia Liudmila SamsonovaSwitzerland Belinda Bencic1–6, 6–1, 6–3
2022Tunisia Ons JabeurSwitzerland Belinda Bencic6–3, 2–1, ret.
2023Czech Republic Petra KvitováCroatia Donna Vekić6–2, 7–6(8–6)
2024United States Jessica PegulaAnna Kalinskaya6–7(0–7), 6–4, 7–6(7–3)
2025Czech Republic Markéta VondroušováChina Wang Xinyu7–6(12–10), 4–6, 6–2

Doubles

YearChampionsRunners-upScore
↓ Hamburg (Clay) ↓
1968South Africa Annette Du Plooy South Africa Pat WalkdenUnited Kingdom Winnie Shaw Australia Judy Tegart6–3, 7–5
1969Australia Judy Tegart West Germany Helga NiessenWest Germany Edda Buding West Germany Helga Hösl Schultze6–1, 6–4
1970Australia Karen Krantzcke Australia Kerry MelvilleUnited Kingdom Winnie Shaw United Kingdom Virginia Wade6–0, 6–1
1971United States Rosie Casals United States Billie Jean KingWest Germany Helga Masthoff West Germany Heide Orth6–2, 6–1
1972West Germany Helga Masthoff West Germany Heide OrthUnited States Wendy Overton United States Valerie Ziegenfuss6–3, 2–6, 6–0
1973West Germany Helga Masthoff (2) West Germany Heide Orth (2)United States Kristien Kemmer South Africa Laura Rossouw6–1, 6–2
1974West Germany Helga Hösl Argentina Raquel GiscafréCzechoslovakia Martina Navratilova Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová6–3, 6–2
1975Australia Dianne Fromholtz Czechoslovakia Renáta TomanováIsrael Paulina Peisachov Japan Kazuko Sawamatsu6–3, 6–2
1976South Africa Linky Boshoff South Africa Ilana KlossUnited States Laura duPont Australia Wendy Turnbull4–6, 7–5, 6–1
1977South Africa Linky Boshoff (2) South Africa Ilana Kloss (2)Czechoslovakia Regina Maršíková Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová2–6, 6–4, 7–5
1978Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Mima Jaušovec Romania Virginia RuziciWest Germany Katja Ebbinghaus West Germany Helga Masthoff6–4, 5–7, 6–0
↓ West Berlin (Clay) ↓
1979United States Rosie Casals (2) Australia Wendy TurnbullAustralia Evonne Goolagong Australia Kerry Reid6–2, 7–5
1981South Africa Rosalyn Fairbank South Africa Tanya HarfordUnited Kingdom Sue Barker Czechoslovakia Renáta Tomanová6–3, 6–4
1980Not held to make room for Federation Cup which took place at same location.
1982South Africa Liz Gordon South Africa Beverly MouldWest Germany Bettina Bunge West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch6–3, 6–4
1983United Kingdom Jo Durie United Kingdom Anne HobbsWest Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch West Germany Eva Pfaff6–4, 7–6(7–2)
1984United Kingdom Anne Hobbs (2) United States Candy ReynoldsSoviet Union Kathleen Horvath Romania Virginia Ruzici6–3, 4–6, 7–6
1985West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Czechoslovakia Helena SukováWest Germany Steffi Graf France Catherine Tanvier6–4, 6–1
1986West Germany Steffi Graf Czechoslovakia Helena Suková (2)Czechoslovakia Martina Navratilova Hungary Andrea Temesvári7–5, 6–2
1987West Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch (2) Czechoslovakia Helena Suková (3)Sweden Catarina Lindqvist Denmark Tine Scheuer-Larsen6–1, 6–2
1988France Isabelle Demongeot France Nathalie TauziatWest Germany Claudia Kohde-Kilsch Czechoslovakia Helena Suková6–2, 4–6, 6–4
1989Australia Elizabeth Smylie Australia Janine TremellingSouth Africa Lise Gregory United States Gretchen Magers5–7, 6–3, 6–2
1990Australia Nicole Provis South Africa Elna ReinachAustralia Hana Mandlíková Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná6–2, 6–1
↓ Berlin (Clay) ↓
1991Soviet Union Larisa Neiland Soviet Union Natasha ZverevaAustralia Nicole Provis South Africa Elna Reinach6–3, 6–3
1992Czechoslovakia Jana Novotná Latvia Larisa Neiland (2)United States Gigi Fernández Commonwealth of Independent States Natalia Zvereva7–6(7–5), 4–6, 7–5
1993United States Gigi Fernández Belarus Natasha Zvereva (2)United States Debbie Graham Netherlands Brenda Schultz6–1, 6–3
1994United States Gigi Fernández (2) Belarus Natasha Zvereva (3)Czech Republic Jana Novotná Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario6–3, 7–6(7–2)
1995South Africa Amanda Coetzer Argentina Inés GorrochateguiLatvia Larisa Savchenko Argentina Gabriela Sabatini4–6, 7–6, 6–2
1996United States Meredith McGrath Latvia Larisa Neiland (3)Switzerland Martina Hingis Czech Republic Helena Suková6–1, 5–7, 7–6(7–4)
1997United States Lindsay Davenport Czech Republic Jana Novotná (2)United States Gigi Fernández Belarus Natasha Zvereva6–3, 3–6, 6–2
1998United States Lindsay Davenport (2) Belarus Natasha Zvereva (4)France Alexandra Fusai France Nathalie Tauziat6–3, 6–0
1999France Alexandra Fusai France Nathalie Tauziat (2)Czech Republic Jana Novotná Argentina Patricia Tarabini6–3, 7–5
2000Spain Conchita Martínez Spain Arantxa Sánchez VicarioSouth Africa Amanda Coetzer United States Corina Morariu3–6, 6–2, 7–6(9–7)
2001Belgium Els Callens United States Meghann ShaughnessyZimbabwe Cara Black Russia Elena Likhovtseva6–4, 6–3
2002Russia Elena Dementieva Slovakia Janette HusárováSlovakia Daniela Hantuchová Spain Arantxa Sánchez Vicario0–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–2
2003Spain Virginia Ruano Pascual Argentina Paola SuárezBelgium Kim Clijsters Japan Ai Sugiyama6–3, 4–6, 6–4
2004Russia Nadia Petrova United States Meghann Shaughnessy (2)Slovakia Janette Husárová Spain Conchita Martínez6–2, 2–6, 6–1
2005Russia Elena Likhovtseva Russia Vera ZvonarevaZimbabwe Cara Black United States Liezel Huber3–6, 6–3, 6–1
2006China Yan Zi China Zheng JieRussia Elena Dementieva Italy Flavia Pennetta6–2, 6–3
2007United States Lisa Raymond Australia Samantha StosurItaly Tathiana Garbin Italy Roberta Vinci6–3, 6–4
2008Zimbabwe Cara Black United States Liezel HuberSpain Nuria Llagostera Vives Spain María José Martínez Sánchez6–2, 6–2
2009- 2019Not held
↓ Berlin (Grass) ↓
2020Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021Belarus Victoria Azarenka Belarus Aryna SabalenkaUnited States Nicole Melichar Netherlands Demi Schuurs4–6, 7–5, [10–4]
2022Australia Storm Sanders Czech Republic Kateřina SiniakováFrance Alizé Cornet Switzerland Jil Teichmann6–4, 6–3
2023France Caroline Garcia Brazil Luisa StefaniCzech Republic Kateřina Siniaková Czech Republic Markéta Vondroušová4–6, 7–6(10–8), [10–4]
2024China Wang Xinyu China Zheng SaisaiChinese Taipei Chan Hao-ching Veronika Kudermetova6–2, 7–5
2025Slovakia Tereza Mihalíková United Kingdom Olivia NichollsItaly Sara Errani Italy Jasmine Paolini4−6, 6−2, [10−6]

Tournament names

  • 1896–1927:German Championships
  • 1928–1948:German International Championships
  • 1949–1970:West German Championships
  • 1971–1979: German Open
  • 1980: No tournament
  • 1981–1988: Fila German Open
  • 1989–1990: Lufthansa Cup
  • 1991–1992: Lufthansa Cup German Open
  • 1993–2000: German Open
  • 2001–2002: Eurocard German Open
  • 2003: MasterCard German Open
  • 2004: Ladies German Open
  • 2005: Qatar Total German Open
  • 2006–2008: Qatar Telecom German Open
  • 2021–2023: bett1open
  • 2024: ecotrans Ladies Open
  • 2025–present: Berlin Tennis Open by Hylo

See also

External links