Gauff, Kenin to play inaugural Wimbledon tune-up event in Berlin

American stars Sofia Kenin and Coco Gauff will be Berlin-bound come June. The youngsters have entered the bett1 Open, an inaugural WTA Premier  event that will begin two weeks before Wimbledon.

"Her potential is huge and I'm sure that she will become a world-class player," tournament director Barbara Rittner said about Gauff in a press release. "She is so talented that I am confident she might be able to bring in a new era in women's tennis. Watching her here in Berlin will give fans an idea of what I'm talking about."

Gauff, who reached the fourth round at the All England Club last summer as a No. 313-ranked qualifier—stunning five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round—is looking forward to competing in Germany.

"I have heard a lot of cool things about the city and I'm very excited about what will await me there," said Gauff. "Being played just before Wimbledon, this tournament is very important to me."

Kenin won her maiden Grand Slam at the Australian Open, rallying from a set down to prevail over two-time major champion Garbine Murugura. The 21-year old already has a grass-court title under her belt, having triumphed at Mallorca last season.

Gauff hasn’t played since losing to Kenin in the fourth round at Melbourne Park in January. She turns 16 in just over a week, which will make her eligible to play at least 12 tournaments in 2020. She can earn additional playing opportunities by meeting the tour's requirements for merit increases.