Ella Seidel from the Porsche Talent Team will compete in the qualifying field at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix thanks to a wildcard. We spoke to her about her beginnings and the Australia experience against Aryna Sabalenka.
by Florian Goosmann
last edited: April 10, 2024, 6:17 p.m
© Jürgen Hasenkopf
Ella Seidel
Ella, you played an ITF tournament in Spain a few days ago. Where are we catching you now?
I’m back in Hamburg, so at home. That has become rare: Last year I played almost 30 tournaments and I often train at the DTB federal bases, especially in Stuttgart. I’m hardly ever in Hamburg anymore, but I’m always there. It’s very nice to be home.
This weekend you’ll be taking part in qualifying for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix. How did you find out about your wildcard?
Anke Huber told me this, and of course I was very happy. I played in last year, but that came about at very short notice. Noma Noha Akugue actually received the wildcard, but slipped into the field shortly before the start of qualification due to another player rejecting her ranking position. I happened to be there – and took over her wildcard.
Why were you in Stuttgart back then?
I watched the Billie Jean King Cup against Brazil. I was sitting at the seat next to Noma – she had registered as an “alternate” during the qualification. Suddenly Anke Huber came by and told us that Noma had slipped into the qualifying field and that I was getting the wildcard. That was on Friday evening and it started on Saturday morning. I was completely surprised and was really happy! The atmosphere was really great, even if the result wasn’t as good as I had hoped (Note: Seidel lost 6:7, 6:7 against Linda Fruhvirtova). It was still a really big highlight last year.
Have you ever been to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix before, for example as a visitor?
A few years ago we had a course in Stuttgart-Stammheim that took place parallel to the tournament. There was also the “Porsche Kids Cup”. On the last days of the tournament we went to the Porsche Arena. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix was the first major tournament that I watched live – with all the top stars who take part year after year. I have great memories of it, even though I was still quite small. At the time, it never even occurred to me that I would take part myself.
In general, what is your first tennis memory – your first match or tournament that you consciously noticed?
These were mainly the Grand Slam tournaments in which Angelique Kerber went far. I particularly remember the 2018 Wimbledon final against Serena Williams, which Kerber won.
Have you ever met Angelique Kerber or another player from her generation?
Andrea Petkovic recently took part in courses and tournaments and passed on her expertise – that was cool! You benefit greatly from this. I saw Angie Kerber in Australia this year, but we only said hello to each other briefly. I have more contact with the younger players from the Billie Jean King Cup team. We often go to tournaments together and exchange ideas.
Are there any players who have influenced you?
(thinks) Actually not. I used to watch a lot of Serena Williams’ matches, and I currently really enjoy watching Jannik Sinner. But I don’t have a great role model.
How did tennis get started for you?
We live in Hamburg right next to a tennis club. My father had started playing tennis again and he took me with him. At some point I was at the club every day.
Did you quickly realize that this could be something serious – that you were talented and ambitious?
Ambitious, yes – everything is a competition for me! (laughs) I started playing tennis when I was five or six, but at first it was just a hobby. Especially since I played hockey on the side. The group compositions changed every year, I was often with older people and people noticed that I did have a bit of talent. At some point it went to the association in Hamburg. That’s how everything happened.
Is your father a good player, were you able to train together for a long time?
We used to play often, especially on the weekends. Not for a long time recently. Sometimes we still play for fun, but…
He doesn’t have a chance anymore?
I don’t want to say that now. (laughs)
How would you describe your playing style? You apparently like the serve – rather unusual.
Actually serve and forehand – now more like forehand. I try to shape my game directly with my serve and forehand and to attack the point aggressively and actively. But there are many areas that I can improve. At the moment I’m changing my serve a bit and my goal is to go to the net more and finish with the volley.
At the beginning of 2023 you were still ranked outside the top 500, now you are already number 150 in the world. Do you have a specific career goal?
I would like to reach the top ten – and my dream is to win a Grand Slam tournament. I didn’t expect this rapid development myself. Now it’s about developing myself and my game.
Do you have a favorite Grand Slam tournament?
With the experience from this year: the Australian Open!
No wonder: in your first major appearance in Melbourne you played your way straight through the qualification into the main draw and were allowed to play in the Rod Laver Arena – against defending champion Aryna Sabalenka!
As a qualifier you know which players you could face – because the main draw table has already been drawn at this point. We had already joked: Best Sabalenka, nice on Center Court! When it happened, I was overwhelmed at first. It was huge to walk into the Rod Laver Arena! Of course it wasn’t so nice to be beaten 0:6, 1:6. Looking back, I’m still proud of how Australia went and hope I can play there more often. But I also saw how much work still lies ahead of me.
Had you discussed in advance how you would have to react if Sabalenka scored everything and the game went away?
Yes, we had that. Especially since we knew how comfortable she feels in Melbourne – she has now won there in 2023 and 2024. It was clear that I wouldn’t be able to keep up yet. I should enjoy it as much as I could. I have it too. Still, I wanted to annoy her, but I didn’t succeed. Hopefully next time.
Is it difficult to go back to everyday life after such a gigantic experience – to the smaller ITF tournaments?
There were many impressions that I took with me from Australia. But afterwards I immediately felt like training even more. This experience was so nice, I would like to repeat it and improve it. I took that as motivation.
Now that we’re heading to Stuttgart, what are you most looking forward to at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix?
Above all, playing in front of the spectators in Stuttgart again. The atmosphere was fantastic last year, the support was great! I hope so many people come again!
Ella, thank you very much for the interview and of course good luck!
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Seidel Ella
2024-04-10 14:15:00
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