Austria's largest women's tennis tournament will take place from April 5 to April 12, 2026, at the Design Center
This will be a glorious anniversary! The most important women's sports event in Austria celebrates its 35th anniversary in 2026 and shines with a spectacular setup. The Upper Austria Ladies Linz will be held on clay for the first time from April 5 to April 12, 2026, at the Design Center, offering fans a whole new tennis experience.
WTA History made in Linz/Upper Austria (1991 - 2026)
Congratulations from Billie Jean King
With this, the Upper Austria Ladies Linz continues its successful tradition as the second oldest indoor tournament on the WTA Tour. Starting with Martina Navratilova, followed by Venus and Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Ana Ivanovic, and the current world number one Aryna Sabalenka, a total of 19 world number ones have competed at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz - a true success story! A special congratulations for the upcoming anniversary has already been sent by tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, who sent a video message to Sandra Reichel: "Congratulations on the anniversary. Thank you for everything you have done for women's tennis and the WTA. All the best for the next 35 years!", said King, who was one of the founders of the WTA in 1973.
Top 10 player Ekaterina Alexandrova wants to defend her title -
Austrian women on the rise
The winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2025, Ekaterina Alexandrova, has already confirmed her participation for the anniversary tournament. The 30-year-old triumphed in February in a high-class final against Dayana Yastremska and thus began what is likely the best year of her career. Alexandrova will make her ninth appearance in Linz next April. "I always feel at home in Linz and I am already looking forward to returning next year and trying to defend my title. It will surely be something very special to play on clay for the first time in this beautiful hall in front of the great audience," Alexandrova looks ahead.
Austria's tennis women are also currently on the rise: With Julia Grabher, Sinja Kraus, and young talent Lilli Tagger, three players are on a successful course internationally. Grabher recently won a WTA 125 tournament in Florianopolis (Brazil) and has returned to the top 100.
Sinja Kraus is about to break through this barrier for the first time. The Viennese player recently won her first WTA 125 tournament in Colombia. And then there’s 17-year-old Lilli Tagger, who was recently named Austria's Young Sportsperson of the Year. Tagger won the girls' competition at the French Open in Paris in June. In November, she made her debut at her first WTA tournament and sensationally reached the finals. "I am really excited about the upward trend of Austrian players. This is a hugely important signal for women's tennis in Austria," explains tournament director Sandra Reichel.
Sports Capital and Sports Hub The Upper Austria Ladies Linz will kick off next year on Easter weekend with the qualification on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026. The final of the tournament will take place on Sunday, April 12, 2026. On this day, Upper Austria and Linz will become the sporting center of Austria. Before the final of the WTA 500 tournament, the Linz Marathon will take place in the state capital of Upper Austria on this Sunday. The organizers are already in close communication to achieve optimal coordination of both events.
More than just a tennis tournament The Upper Austria Ladies Linz will also implement numerous initiatives in 2026 as part of its four-pillar strategy aimed at promoting women's sports, youth, inclusion, and sustainability. Continuations of the women's sports conference "Advantage Ladies", the children's action "1,000 tennis rackets for 1,000 girls", and an inclusion day with a wheelchair tennis exhibition are already in planning.