As the clay courts of Stuttgart welcomed the world’s top tennis talents for the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, one name was conspicuously absent: Emma Raducanu. The 22-year-old British star, whose meteoric rise captivated fans after her 2021 US Open triumph, opted out of the WTA 500 event running from April 12 to 20, sparking curiosity and speculation. Her decision is particularly striking given her deep ties to Porsche, the tournament’s title sponsor, raising questions about her relationship with the luxury car brand and her strategic choices as she navigates a pivotal season.
Raducanu’s connection to Porsche began in March 2022, just months after her historic Grand Slam victory as a qualifier—the first ever to achieve such a feat. At 19, she was named a global brand ambassador, a role that came with a silver 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet, valued at £125,000, which she proudly showcased on social media. “For me to be a brand ambassador for Porsche means a lot,” she said at the time, reflecting on her childhood fascination with the brand. She recalled how her first tennis coach’s Porsche 911 left her starry-eyed, sparking dreams of one day owning her own. Her passion for motorsport, from karting as a child to watching Porsche Carrera Cup races at Brands Hatch, made the partnership a natural fit. “It’s really important for me to align with partners I feel passionate about,” she added, cementing the bond.
Since 2022, Raducanu has been a fixture at the Stuttgart tournament, a showcase for Porsche’s prestige and a magnet for top players like Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Aryna Sabalenka, all of whom competed in 2025. Her debut came weeks after her ambassador announcement, where she battled to the quarterfinals, falling 6-4, 6-4 to eventual champion Swiatek. “I think it’s a very nice arena for tennis and provides a great atmosphere,” she said of the Porsche Arena in 2023, praising the unique touch of cars displayed behind the court. In 2023, she exited in the first round to Jelena Ostapenko, and in 2024, Ons Jabeur halted her run in the second. Despite mixed results, the event marked the start of her clay season, making her 2025 absence all the more puzzling.
Rumors of tension with Porsche surfaced in October 2024 when reports claimed the brand had reclaimed her gifted 911 Carrera. “Emma no longer has a Porsche. They took it back,” an associate allegedly revealed, noting its former pride of place at her home. A Porsche spokesperson clarified that while cars are loaned on an “ad hoc basis,” Raducanu remained a valued ambassador. “There have not been any changes within our successful partnership since it started in 2022,” they affirmed, dispelling notions of a rift. Raducanu herself seemed to shrug off the speculation with humor, posting a cheeky Instagram story of herself on a bus with a laughing emoji, only to be spotted days later driving a new £100,000 Porsche Cayenne in London. The move suggested the partnership was intact, yet her decision to skip Stuttgart fueled further intrigue.
Her absence may have practical roots. Raducanu recently withdrew from the Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers to prioritize her fitness, stating she needed to “look after her body” after a grueling season. Injuries have plagued her since her 2021 breakout, including wrist and ankle surgeries in 2023, and a foot sprain during the 2024 Korea Open. Choosing the WTA 250 event in Rouen over Stuttgart aligns with a cautious approach, offering a less intense field to rebuild confidence on clay, a surface where she’s still finding her footing. “It’s a super way to begin the clay court season,” she once said of Stuttgart, but 2025 sees her charting a different path.
Porsche’s recent addition of Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, to its ambassador roster has also stirred speculation. With Swiatek headlining Stuttgart for her fourth straight appearance, some wonder if Raducanu’s role with the brand has shifted. Yet, her history with Porsche—from test drives to promotional events like the 2023 Battersea Power Station launch—suggests a bond rooted in mutual admiration. Stuttgart’s winner traditionally drives off in a Porsche Taycan, a prize Raducanu once called “very motivating.” Her absence doesn’t diminish her star power but highlights a player at a crossroads, balancing health, ambition, and a high-profile partnership as she eyes the French Open and beyond.