"Young Ladies Wild Card Challenge"

"Young Ladies Wild CardChallenge" with record field of participants
Oberösterreichische Versicherung expands its involvement in Upper Austria Ladies Linz

Everyone wanted to take part, but only 16 were chosen! 20 players (U26) from six federal states registered for the 5th edition of the Wild Card Challenge by the entry deadline on Monday, 23 January (12 noon). The "Young Ladies Wild Card Challenge", which was launched in 2018, is once again the prelude to the WTA tournament Upper Austria Ladies Linz (5 to 12 February 2023) and will take place from 27 to 29 January 2023 at the Froschberg Tennis Centre.

Among the 16 selected tennis talents is 22-year-old Veronika Bokor from Lower Austria, the winner of the Wild Card Challenge in 2020! The following players have also fulfilled the criteria for participation: Alina Michalitsch (22 years old), Ines Faltinger (19), Jelena Ristic (19), Claudia Gasparovic (18), Amelie Gindl (19), Liel Marlies Rothensteiner (17), Chiara Semmelmeyer, (16/all Lower Austria), Stefanie Auer (20/St), Anna-Lena Ebster (19), Lea Erenda (17/both T), Katarina Sopkova (23), Zuzana Sopkova (18/both W), Laura Fuchs (17/VBG), Johanna Hiesmair (17) and Theresa Stabauer (16/both OÖ). No players from the provinces of Salzburg, Burgenland and Carinthia have registered. The 16 players will once again compete in a knockout system for a coveted "free ticket", which entitles the winner of the Challenge to take part in qualifying for the WTA tournament. The finalist can look forward to a wild card for a 15,000-dollar ITF tournament in Austria.

Of course, ÖTV women's sports coordinator Marion Maruska is a regular at the Wild Card Challenge. "I'm delighted that Sandra and I launched this challenge together. It's great for Austrian women's tennis that the young players have this opportunity to take part in a WTA tournament. Not only can they gain valuable experience, but they can also get new impetus for their tennis and get a taste of where they would like to play later on. Thanks to Sandra Reichel and her team for their cooperation."

Previous winners of the Wild Card Challenge:

2018 Mavie Austrian
2019 Emily Meyer
2020 Veronika Bokor
2021 Mavie Austrian

Oberösterreichische Versicherung new premium partner

"It's always great to see how the tennis ladies deliver top performances with apparent ease and elegance," says Kathrin Kühtreiber-Leitner. For the CEO of Oberösterreichische Versicherung, the Upper Austria Ladies have become a real classic in international women's tennis. "When the players serve in Linz, it is a matter of course for us as Upper Austria's No. 1 insurer to be there. The joy of sporting activities and exercise is important to all of us and we are happy to support this," says Kühtreiber-Leitner.

Oberösterreichische Versicherung is a premium partner of the tournament for the first time. Kühtreiber-Leitner explains: "I am delighted that we are not only sponsoring this fantastic event this year. In addition to a high-calibre panel discussion on the topic of "The courage to change", we also want to make a contribution to our environment." For every ace that is felled, a tree will be planted and cared for in Upper Austria by primary school children together with forest helpers. "In this way, we are not only giving something back to nature, but also giving our children the opportunity to experience and learn about nature in the forest," says Kühtreiber-Leitner.

Enjoy the tennis festival with your best friends

"Enjoy the Linz Women's Tennis Festival at the Design Centre with your best friends!" A new offer makes this great experience possible. Women's groups of four or more receive a discounted ticket price from Monday to Thursday and are also welcomed with sparkling wine. What does tournament director Sandra Reichel say? "We are more than just a tennis tournament!" In addition to world-class women's tennis, the Upper Austria Ladies Linz will once again offer an attractive supporting programme with autograph sessions with sports stars, book presentations, information on women's health and much more!

There is another ticket special for the Tuesday of the tournament. To mark the 50th anniversary of the WTA, all women will receive 50 per cent off a KAT 1 ticket on this day. All information on the ticket offer can be found at www.ladieslinz.at to find.