WTA Linz behind the scenes: "Danger" from Asia and last minute signatures
Sandra Reichel has held the role of tournament director at the WTA tournament in Linz for the 15th time this year. The former top 500 player in the individual is racking her brains over an attractive starting field for several months a year, fearing competition from Asia and giving an insight into dramatic last-minute mentions.
by Lukas Zahrer
last edit: Oct 11, 2019, 05:22 pm
"It was crazy, on the cutting edge," says Sandra Reichel and smiles when she thinks about the stressful situation of a week ago. With Petra Kvitova, the current number seven in the world, the Welser lost the top seeded player a few days before the Upper Austria Ladies Linz started the tournament. The Czech had already secured her place at the WTA Finals in Shenzhen before the biggest Austrian women's tournament of the year and therefore withdrew.
But the experienced Reichel had already put together a replacement plan. Although a WTA international tournament like the one in Linz can only have a top 10 player, she was in negotiations with Kiki Bertens (WTA No. 8). "Your management contacted me with the wish to play in Linz - should Kvitova withdraw," Reichel told tennisnet .
The case came and suddenly it got hectic.
Half an hour after Reichel received Kvitova's cancellation, the WTA's official deadline passed. It had to be quick.
At the same time, Bertens played a successful premier mandatory tournament in Beijing and reached the semi-finals there a few days later. "But she had to personally sign a form that she could use a wildcard," says Reichel, who hoped from Austria that Bertens' management in Beijing picked up the phone. "It was already 10 p.m., I didn't know if they could be reached at all. All the better that everything went smoothly. ”Bertens reported, Reichel got the necessary signature and within half an hour a new number one of the tournament.
# # IMG2
WTA Linz - competition from Asia: "That is the danger"
“I stayed calm because I've seen it happen so many times. The contacts are very important, ”explains Reichel. The constant exchange over the entire calendar year with player agents, coaches or parents is crucial in order to be able to rely on the commitments at the peak.
"Shortly before the tournament, I often ask myself: Why am I doing this to myself at all?" Admits Reichel. Even months before the tournament, she is trying to get top players. There are always worries about cancellations, injuries or other surprises. “It is becoming increasingly difficult, especially with the competition from Asia. There are significantly higher entry fees. That is the danger, ”says Reichel.
They hope that for individual players more than just the entry bonus counts, "off-the-pitch performances" pay off. The late date in the tennis year is both a curse and a blessing: Individual players need points for the qualification for the end-of-year tournament, others refrain from an additional tournament after a long season. "You can't really plan that," says Reichel. "That is why the brand of the tournament has to be strong all round in order to be less dependent on the players."
Linz benefits from Hong Kong cancellation
For example, it offers individual “rookie hours” for players. She will be accompanied by young professionals for a few hours to give them a look at the work of the tournament directorate. “Players recognize that activities like Player's Night lead to the strengthening of your own brand, which leads to more fans. You shouldn't underestimate that. "
That the original cut-off in the qualification was even 112 this year - a sensationally good value for a smaller tournament like that in Linz - was also due to the short-term cancellation of the event in Hong Kong. Due to the precarious political situation and ongoing protests by the population, the event was deleted from the calendar without replacement.
Reichel “cannot really assess” the real advantages for Linz. She only knew that Belinda Bencic had played there. "Maybe there will be one or two other players. Apart from that, we had a strong field before that, ”says a pleased Reichel, who had to take note of the short-term cancellations by Maria Sharapova, Kvitova, Anastasia Sevastova or last year's winner Camila Giorgi.
But she is happy about other stories that this tournament writes. For example, that of Cori Gauff, who made it into the quarter-finals in the top 100 of the world rankings with her successful run as Lucky Loser. "It is insane. I am very happy for her. ”She is also happy about the professional appearance of her players. "This is important for the tournament because sponsors and fans appreciate it."