Paula Badosa gets main draw wildcard for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2026

Austria's biggest women's sporting event has gained another world-class player. Former world number two and Grand Slam semi-finalist Paula Badosa from Spain has been awarded the third main draw wildcard for the WTA 500 Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament at the Design Center (5 to 12 April 2026) after Austrians Lilli Tagger and Sinja Kraus.

Paula Badosa, Australian Open semifinalistn of 2025, is currently fighting her way back to the top after an injury. Back problems in particular have repeatedly slowed her down over the course of her career. However, her fighting spirit is far greater than her bad luck with injuries. After making it back into the top 10 in the world last year, she again complained of physical problems and had to take a break. Now the 28-year-old, who has also reached the quarter-finals at the French Open and US Open, is back on the attack and celebrated a successful start to the clay court season last week by reaching the last 16 at the tournament in Charleston. Badosa has won four WTA titles in the course of her career, most recently in Washington D.C. in 2024. The Spaniard is competing for the first time in Linz and is eagerly awaiting her debut.

„I'm delighted that Paula is coming to Linz. She has been through a lot in recent years, especially with her back. When she's fit, she plays extremely attractive and aggressive tennis. She has a great personality, is always in a good mood and can hopefully really take off. When she's pain-free, I think she can beat anyone,“ analyses tournament ambassador Barbara Schett.

„Paula is in really good form at the moment. She's in her prime and I'm sure she'll get back to her old strength. She was only in the top 10 last year and will certainly get back there quickly. On her way there, she is now competing in Linz for the first time and is a real asset to our tournament,“ explains Tournament Director Sandra Reichel.

This means that one main draw wildcard is still up for grabs before the tournament starts tomorrow, Sunday. 

Qualifying will then begin at 11 a.m. in the Design Centre. The official draw for the Upper Austria Ladies Linz will also take place tomorrow, Easter Sunday, at 10.30 a.m. in the Grottenbahn on the Pöstlingberg.