Easter egg hunt & world-class women's tennis - if that's not the perfect mix for a sporty Easter Monday!
(Almost) everything is new at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz! Not only is the 35th edition of Austria's biggest women's tennis tournament being held on clay for the first time, but the fact that it will kick off on the Easter weekend is an absolute first! So for now: Happy Easter, dear tennis fans! Our Easter nest is full to bursting with absolute world-class tennis!
The programme starts today with the qualifying finals. An old acquaintance is also taking part. Donna Vekic last reached the semi-finals in Linz in 2024 and is fighting for a place in the main draw today against Iryna Shymanovich. She is sure to have the support of the fans!
Things will get really loud from 2 pm when the first major tournament highlight from an Austrian perspective awaits! East Tyrolean Lilli Tagger will take to centre court for the first time alongside new Austrian Anastasia Potopova! In the first round of doubles, the Austrian combination will play Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway) and Quinn Gleason (USA). It's the perfect dress rehearsal for the „Day of Austrian Women“ on Tuesday.
Donna Vekic
Tatjana Maria at the official draw
However, the first matches in the main draw will already take place today, after the qualifiers have finished. You definitely shouldn't miss two of the most experienced players in the entire field. Sloane Stephens, the 33-year-old US Open winner in 2017, will challenge Germany's Tatjana Maria (38) in the fourth match of the day on Centre Court. The mother of two reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon four years ago and won the WTA 500 tournament in Queens last summer with her unrivalled game.
Easter Monday will be rounded off for our players with the „Players Night“ in the evening and for our fans with the big Easter egg hunt in the public area. So everything is ready! The whole Upper Austria Ladies Linz team wishes you a Happy Easter!
The official draw presented by LINZ AG took place at one of the best-known and most popular excursion destinations in Linz and Upper Austria. The Grottenbahn on the Pöstlingberg, with its dragon train and dwarf kingdom as well as the unique fairytale world, provided a fantastic backdrop for the world elite in women's tennis. This year, the Grottenbahn celebrates its 120th anniversary.
„The Grottenbahn is a very special place with a long history. It fits in very well with Upper Austria Ladies Linz,“ explained Dr Jutta Rinner, CEO of LINZ AG.
Double
Red-white-red power
The audience in Linz can expect concentrated Austrian power with Anastasia Potapova and Lilli Tagger on Easter Monday at the Design Centre.
The pair will have to hold their own against Ulrikke Eikeri (Norway) and Quinn Gleason (USA). Certainly not an easy task. Eikeri/Gleason were already on court together last week in Charleston. The two Austrians, on the other hand, will be playing their first ever doubles match together. Could there be a better place for their debut than their home tournament?
The doubles do not start until 2pm on Centre Court.
She knows how to win in Linz and wants to build on her old successes in the qualifiers this year. Donna Vekic, who reached the semi-finals of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz two years ago, was in top form in her opening match yesterday and will play Iryna Shymanovich in the qualifying final for the main draw.Tamara Korpatsch also won the German duel against Jule Niemeier and will play against Maria Timofeeva (Uzbekistan) today.
Anna-Lena Friedsam, on the other hand, was eliminated. The 32-year-oldplayed her first WTA final in Linz in 2015 and was only beaten by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova. She reached the quarter-finals again in 2023. Great that you were in Upper Austria again this year!
Kick-off press conference
Highlights of the tournament week
Tournament Director Sandra Reichel, together with the Mayor of the City of Linz, Dietmar Prammer, Deputy Mayor Karin Leitner, tournament ambassador Barbara Schett and Austrian participant Julia Grabher, gave a comprehensive overview of the tournament week at Linz City Hall on Friday.
The programme at Austria's most important women's sporting event ranges from world-class tennis to several initiatives off the court.
Happy Easter!
Discover the surprise now
The Easter bunny has of course also hopped past the Design Centre in Linz. This Easter Monday, visitors can look forward to 50 Easter nests and three hidden main prizes.
The rule is: first come, first serve. So early birds will be rewarded with surprises for tennis enthusiasts this Easter Monday. Good luck with your search!
35 years
Tournament history
The Linz women's tennis classic celebrated its premiere 35 years ago and today the Upper Austria Ladies Linz is the second oldest WTA indoor tournament in the world.
A walk through the exhibition arch in the Public Village offers a glimpse into the history of over three decades full of top-class matches, famous players and great moments. Not on site? No problem! The exhibition is also available online.
Whether in 1991 or 2026 - all tennis fans will get their money's worth in Linz!
Stay on the ball with Upper Austria Ladies Linz! The broadcast times at a glance:
Tuesday, 07.04.2026:
ORF Sport + (14.00 - 16.05, Live)
ORF Sport + (17.40 - 20.00, Live)
ORF ON (14.00 - 20.00, Live)
ORF1 (16.05 - 17.45, Live)
Wednesday, 08.04.2026
ORF Sport + (18.00 -20.00, Live)
ORF Sport + (20.15 -22.00, Live)
ORF ON (20.00 -22.00, Live)
Thursday, 09.04.2026
ORF Sport + (14.00 - 17.55, Live)
ORF ON (14.00 - 18.30, Live)
Friday, 10.04.2026
ORF Sport + (13.00 - 17.55, Live)
ORF ON (13.00 - 19.00, Live)
Saturday, 11.04.2026
ORF Sport + (15.30 - 19.00, Live)
Sunday, 12.04.2026
ORF 1 (13.45 - 16.00, Live Day 6, Final)
ORF ON (13.45 - 17.00, Live Day 6, Final)
*Programme subject to change
Program booklet
Have you read it yet?
Would you like to find out more about the Upper Austria Ladies Linz and expand your knowledge of the tournament's top stars? Then pick up a free copy at the Info Point! Click on the button to access the online version of our programme.