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

The Stuttgart grass event which follows the French Open has struck gold by signing Roger Federer to appearances in 2016 and 2017.

“I’m very excited, I played Stuttgart way back at the very beginning of career when it was indoors – I never thought it would happen on grass,” said Federer, I watched the first edition (last June) on television, it had a great atmosphere. I’ve always wanted to play Stuttgart, but it was always the wrong time after Wimbledon. Now that they’ve moved dates, the chance to play the Mercedes Cup is very exciting – I can’t wait.”

The seven-time Wimbledon winner is a huge fan of the new, extended three-week grass run-up to the Grand Slam: “It’s genius to have an extra week, It doesn’t sound like much, but for we players it’s a lot. I love playing on grass – always have always will. To play another tournament on grass is great for me. I can manage my energy and schedule, It’s all about winning titles.”

Mercedes Cup officials are excited to have one of the best to ever play the game starting his grass-court summer at the TC Weissenhof on perfect courts laid with the help of expert Wimbledon groundsmen.

“With the appearance of Roger Federer in the next two years, we will expand into new dimensions with the Mercedes Cup. He is like no other player on the international circuit. He has the highest approval ratings and is a huge attraction for fans around the world thanks to his superlative tennis. We are pleased that we can mark the 100th anniversary of Weissenhof tournament with tennis and sports idol Roger Federer playing the Mercedes Cup in Stuttgart 2016,” said tournament director Edwin Weindorfer.

Federer said that a two-year appearance agreement is exactly what he was seeking. “I like to look ahead and plan in advance. That also gives tournaments something they can look forward to. I know my schedule, this is a week which won’t change. I’d like to play more on the grass, I might as well make the most of it. I’m looking forward to it  – no doubt about that.”

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