A trio for Austria: home match in Linz for Tagger, Grabher and Kraus

Just a few weeks ago, top talent Lilli Tagger from Austrian sports journalists was voted „Rising Star of the Year“. She started the 2025 tennis year at number 945 in the world rankings and worked her way up to number 152. With a great deal of carefreeness and her spectacular one-handed backhand, she became the first Austrian ever to win the junior competition at a Grand Slam tournament at the French Open in Paris. The player from Lienz continued to ride this wave of success in the second half of the year and eventually played her way into her first WTA final at her first WTA tournament in Jiujiang, China, thus writing a real tennis fairytale.

„I'm incredibly excited to be playing at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz for the first time - and in the anniversary year of this traditional tournament. It's very special for me to be playing in front of a home crowd at a WTA tournament for the first time. The support of the Austrian fans has accompanied me throughout the year and has often given me extra energy. The Upper Austria Ladies Linz has seen so many great players over the decades and written countless stories. To now be part of this tournament myself really means a lot to me and I can hardly wait to experience the atmosphere in the Design Centre live on centre court,“ Tagger looks ahead.

Julia Grabher was the last Austrian before Tagger to reach a WTA final in spring 2023. The 29-year-old then struggled with major injury problems, from which she recovered well after a long period of suffering. In autumn, she won a WTA 125 tournament in Florianopolis, Brazil, and celebrated her return to the top 100 players in the world. „After my long injury break, it feels really good to be fit again and to be able to compete with the best players again. That's why I'm really looking forward to the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2026. The tournament has a very special significance for me,“ said Grabher, who is currently ranked 94th in the WTA world rankings.

Sinja Kraus is on the verge of breaking through this sound barrier for the first time. The Viennese recently won her first WTA 125 tournament in Colombia and is currently ranked 109th in the world. In 2026, she has her first appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament and, of course, the Upper Austria Ladies Linz firmly in her sights. „Even though the season has only just ended, I'm already really looking forward to playing at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz again in April 2026. It's sure to be another really cool week,“ says the 23-year-old, full of anticipation for her home game.

„We are delighted that Julia Grabher, Sinja Kraus and Lilli Tagger will be serving at our 35th anniversary. This top Austrian trio will make the tournament even more exciting and the fans can look forward to some great tennis. All three have great potential and I definitely see the chance that an Austrian woman can go far here in Linz,“ says tournament director Sandra Reichel, who is also looking forward to Austrian tennis festivals at the Design Centre.

In addition to Lilli Tagger, Julia Grabher and Sinja Kraus, the defending champion will also be back in Linz. Top 10 player Ekaterina Alexandrova had already confirmed her participation in the anniversary tournament a few weeks ago.

Ticket information:

Tickets for the 35th Upper Austria Ladies Linz, which will be held on clay for the first time at the Linz Design Center from 5 to 12 April 2026, are already available. The tickets are available at Online ticket shop available. Ticket buyers benefit from an attractive „winter deal“ up to and including 28 February 2026.

In keeping with the anniversary, the tournament will also have attractive ticket offers, especially for families. Children and young people up to the age of 15 will enjoy free entry on Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. On the other days, tickets for children and young people cost 10 euros. Children up to the age of 5 are generally admitted free of charge. There are also special offers for schoolchildren, groups, senior citizens and people with disabilities and their companions.