"This tournament is a jewel with so many different facets. We have our four-pillar model and so many different topics in addition to sport, such as young talent, sustainability and inclusion. We have tennis for everyone. We offer a platform for many different topics. It is the overall package at this tournament that is important to me," explained Tournament Director Sandra Reichel and also thanked everyone for their loyal support from many different sides: "It cannot be overestimated what a loyal environment we are in here. We have so many loyal sponsors and partners, a loyal audience and a loyal team in the background. Then there are so many players, like Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is in the final for the third time, who have also been loyal to us for years."

A total of almost 21,000 fans attended the matches at the Design Centre last week. The final weekend from Friday to Sunday was almost completely sold out. The successful tournament also included an extensive supporting programme with the third edition of the FE&MALE Sports Conference, where top-class speakers discussed the investment potential, opportunities and challenges of women's sport. "I was really impressed, for example by Lara Vadlau, who is a great role model. We need to get to a point where men and women in sport are paid equally. Tennis has a pioneering role here," said Reichel.

The tournament director's sporting summary was also positive all round: "We had three former top ten players and four Grand Slam semi-finalists at the start. In addition, the Australian Open doubles winner got on the plane straight after the match and flew directly to Linz. I was particularly pleased that Austrian women's tennis has shown itself again. We had four Austrians in qualifying and Sinja Kraus made it into the main draw. This meant that for the first time in ten years there were two Austrians in the main draw. I was very pleased about that. Sinja put in an impressive performance. The sporting standard was really incredibly high and I particularly liked the mix of different types of players and personalities. Overall, I'm really happy with the field of players and I think everyone who was here is too." 

The Upper Austria Ladies Linz once again achieved remarkable international coverage. In addition to the TV broadcast in more than 150 countries, the tournament's social media channels not only increased their follower numbers by a further 20 per cent, but also achieved around two million views. Sandra Reichel also added that the tournament is still looking for a main sponsor. "I hope that companies realise that we are more than just a tennis tournament. We are very proud of our 35-year tournament history and want to continue it," said the tournament director.

In 2026, the Upper Austria Ladies Linz is scheduled in the WTA calendar from 1 to 8 February.

20th anniversary for tournament ambassador Barbara Schett

Shortly before the final, there was a very special moment on the centre court of the Linz Design Center. Barbara Schett was honoured by tournament director Sandra Reichel for her 20th anniversary as tournament ambassador of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz. The former number seven in the WTA world rankings, who made her breakthrough in Linz in 1994 with her first semi-final on the WTA Tour, has become an integral part of the tournament. "You are the best tournament ambassador in the world. After your career as a top tennis player, you have managed to make a name for yourself throughout the tennis world as a tennis expert and I am very grateful to you," said Reichel. Schett, who was visibly surprised by the honour, also had a few words afterwards: "Thank you very much for the last 20 years. My journey in Linz started over 30 years ago when I was given a wildcard here and I really am an ambassador here with heart and soul. I'm looking forward to the next 20 years."