Top star Maria Sakkari returns to Linz

The 29-year-old climbed to third place in the WTA world rankings in March 2022 and has long been one of the most popular Greek sportswomen ever. In 2021, Sakkari reached the semi-finals of the French Open, the US Open and the WTA Finals. She also made it into the top four a year later. The Greek Olympic participant won her biggest title in Guadalajara in 2023 and only had to concede defeat to Poland's Iga Swiatek in the final of Indian Wells in 2024. After retiring in the first round of the US Open due to injury, Sakkari, who is currently ranked 32nd in the world, ended her season prematurely due to persistent shoulder problems. "It's been a challenging year, but I've also learnt a lot. I will certainly come back stronger," said Sakkari, who is regarded as one of the fittest and most well-trained players on the tour. On her comeback, the first Greek woman ever to reach the semi-finals at a Grand Slam tournament wants to return to the top ten and build on the good memories of her Linz debut two years ago. In February 2023, she stormed through to the semi-finals as the top seed without losing a set and became a crowd favourite at the Design Center before she was narrowly beaten by Croatia's Petra Martic. 
 
"I'm really looking forward to Maria Sakkari returning to Linz. She played her way into the hearts of the fans right away two years ago. She always gives her all on the pitch and that is also honoured by the fans. I would like to see her return to top form soon after her injury and I am sure that the matches in Linz will help her to do so. The conditions should certainly suit her," explains tournament director Sandra Reichel.