Will there be a new winner at the first WTA 500 event in Linz?

Donna, Elise and Petra! Three big names in women's world tennis from players who want to have a say in the tournament victory at the WTA 500 event Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2024 (28 January to 4 February at the Design Center): Donna Vekic, Elise Mertens and Petra Martic! It would also be the first triumph for a player from this trio at the women's tennis classic in Linz.

Donna Vekic - wherever she appears, she attracts attention! And not just on centre court. The 27-year-old Croatian could also earn her living as a model, as you can see from various photo shoots. Even in the early years of her tennis career, Vekic was compared to top star Maria Sharapova - from her looks to her playing style, there are obvious similarities.

Donna Vekic comes out as a gourmet

Another parallel between Donna and Maria: both have always felt at home in the cosy atmosphere of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. In culinary terms too: at the Linz Classic in February 2023, Vekic outed herself as having a "sweet tooth" when she answered the question about her favourite dishes: "I love Kaiserschmarrn and yeast dumplings. You wouldn't have thought that, would you?" As usual, tournament director Sandra Reichel and her team will once again ensure that the players can look forward to some tasty treats this year.

Speaking of 2023: Donna Vekic and Maria Sakkari brought the Design Centre Linz to its feet in the quarter-finals of the Upper Austria Ladies. After 2:06 hours of play, the number one seed from Greece celebrated a 6:3, 7:6 victory to advance to the semi-finals. After the match point, the two good friends hugged each other, having played tennis at the very highest level.

That's how it should be again this year at the 33rd edition of the WTA classic in Linz. Fans can already look forward to Donna Vekic, who has won four WTA tournaments and 6.8 million US dollars in prize money in her career and is currently ranked 25th in the WTA rankings, having achieved her top ranking of 19th on 4 November 2019.

Will Elise Mertens make it after a four-year delay?

Elise Mertens has started the 2024 tennis year with vigour and in top form. The 28-year-old Belgian reached the final at the tournament in Hobart, Australia! She has already wowed the fans at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz: In 2020, Mertens had qualified for the final and met her friend and doubles partner Aryna Sabalenka, of all people. Mertens lost the final against the then 22-year-old top favourite 5:7, 2:6. Four years later, the Belgian wants to hold the winner's trophy in her hands.

Elise Mertens has an impressive career record: she has won eight WTA tournaments and 12.7 million dollars in prize money, reaching her top WTA ranking of twelfth place on 26 November 2018 - the same year in which she made it to the semi-finals at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Mertens is currently ranked 28th in the world and has already achieved a world number one ranking in doubles and won three Grand Slam titles.

Petra Martic is ready for revenge

Petra Martic is the second Croatian in this trio! She caused a top sensation in the semi-finals of the 32nd Upper Austria Ladies Linz in February 2023. Martic had defeated the top seed from Greece, Maria Sakkari, 3:6, 6:3, 6:4 and faced Anastasia Potapova in the final. However, Martic was unable to capitalise on this opportunity and lost to Potapova 3:6, 1:6. Will there be a rematch this year at the 33rd Upper Austria Ladies Linz? Petra Martic once again has her sights set on reaching the final, as does the defending champion Potapova. The 32-year-old Petra Martic is currently ranked 40th in the WTA, she has won two WTA tournaments and 8.2 million dollars in prize money in her career. She reached her top ranking of 14th place on 13 January 2020.