Fan favourite Giorgi and young star Potapova fight for second Linz triumph

One woman, one word! Anastasia Potapova in February 2023 after her sensational triumph at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz promised: "I'll be back!" Fans can look forward to seeing the 22-year-old at the 33rd edition of the tournament from 28 January to 4 February 2024 at the Design Center! And to another Linz winner: to Camila Giorgiwho won the women's tennis classic in Linz in 2018! It is quite possible that a third player, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, will return to the site of her triumph (2015). As the very high cut for the main draw is 56, Pavlyuchenkova is currently only on the reserve list for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2024 as number 60 in the WTA rankings. The entry list is headed by Wimbledon winner and world number seven Marketa Vondrousova (Czech Republic). Tickets are available via the Online ticket shop and at all Ö-Ticket advance booking offices.

Women's tennis is becoming increasingly multifaceted. The protagonists not only impress with their power tennis and athleticism, but also touch the fans with their charm. A prime example of this is the Italian Camila Giorgi. The 32-year-old has already conquered many hearts in Linz and has experienced both joy and sorrow.

As a reminder: "La principessa italiana" won her second title on the WTA Tour at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz in 2018 (after 's-Hertogenbosch in 2015). Giorgi gave qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova no chance in the final and needed just 59 minutes before converting her first match point to triumph 6:3, 6:1. Giorgi was also the first Italian winner of the women's tennis classic in Linz. "I dedicate this victory to my father and my mother," said Giorgi, whose parents are from Argentina, at the award ceremony. Her father Sergio is also her coach and her mother Claudia designs her tennis clothes.

Camila Giorgi wanted to say goodbye to the Upper Austria Ladies from Linz in February 2023 with the winner's trophy in her hand. This time, however, it all ended in the round of 16. The then 31-year-old Italian lost to Denmark's young star Clara Tauson 6:1, 3:6, 4:6. Giorgi cried heartbreaking tears in the Players' Lounge and was lovingly comforted by her father Sergio. Giorgi currently has four WTA tournament wins, including the 2021 Montreal Masters title, and 6.2 million dollars in prize money.

Potapova in the footsteps of Sharapova

Anastasia Potapova was already the winner of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 at the age of 21! She won the final against 32-year-old Croatian Petra Martic 6:3, 6:1 in the sold-out Design Centre. Potapova is thus following in the footsteps of Maria Sharapova, who won the women's tennis classic in Linz in 2006 at the age of 19. "Maria has always been my idol and I think we have a very similar style of play." Potapova has won two WTA tournaments and 2.9 million dollars in prize money to date.

In line with the upgrade to the WTA 500 event, the prize money has of course also been increased. The winner can look forward to 123,480 euros this year, while the finalist will receive 76,225 euros