WTA Linz: Grabher in the main draw, Haas with a qualifying wildcard
Julia Grabher carries the local hopes for the WTA Tour 250 tournament in Linz, which starts on Monday. Barbara Haas wants to fight her way through qualification and into the main draw.
by p.m
last edit:
Feb 03, 2023, 02:20 pm
From Down Under to Upper Austria
Julia Grabher didn't let much burn in 2022! The 26-year-old from Vorarlberg has decided to work with trainer Günter Bresnik, has worked her way up to Austria's number one and in the WTA ranking in two-digit spheres (82nd place). In January 2023, she made it to the Australian Open for the first time in a Grand Slam tournament, losing 2: 6, 3: 6 to Anett Kontaveit. Is there a secret to why Grabher has gotten "stronger," literally? In preparation for the season, she trained on Tenerife, including with Jan-Lennard Struff (D) and her ÖTV colleague Dennis Novak, also a Bresnik protégé. And on Bresnik's recommendation, Grabher trained with Austria's parade decathlete Dominik Distelberger. “Because decathletes are complete athletes, they know their bodies well,” explained Bresnik.
Julia Grabher is already looking forward to the tennis summit in Upper Austria. "An attractive and top-class starting field, great fans, an all-round great atmosphere and that extra portion of charm - that's exactly why the Upper Austria Ladies Linz are a fixed point in my calendar and a highlight of the season," enthuses the Vorarlberg native and adds: "It will be something very special this year. So I'm grateful for the wildcard, so I'm really looking forward to this women's tennis classic and my personal premiere at the Design Center in Linz."
Germany's women's tennis has a strong presence
The 21-year-old Eva Lys from Hamburg, one of the greatest German tennis talents, can also look forward to a wildcard for the main draw! With Lys and Niemeier, our neighboring country is well represented at Austria's most important women's sports event. Jule Niemeier, Germany's Player of the Year 2022, excelled in two Grand Slam tournaments last year: In Wimbledon she reached the quarter-finals, then lost the internal German duel with Tatjana Maria in just three sets. At the US Open, she made it to the round of 16 with victories over Sofia Kenin, Yulia Putintseva and Zheng Qinwen, which she lost in three sets against world number one Iga Swiatek. Jule Niemeier has not yet won a WTA tournament, maybe it will work out for the young German at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023?! The third German player in the main draw is Tamara Korpatsch . The 27-year-old from Hamburg slipped in because Elisabetta Cocciaretto had to pull out due to injury.
As mentioned, the armada of up-and-coming young stars is led by 18-year-old Czech Linda Noskova. She already made headlines this year by reaching the final in Adelaide. The 21-year-old Anastasia Potapova has already entered the WTA list of winners, she celebrated her premiere title on the tour in Istanbul in April 2022.
Linz winner of 2015 receives wild card for qualification
Thus, the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2023 (February 5th to 12th in the Design Center) presents a brilliant and balanced field of players. Another Linz winner wants to use her chance to move into the main draw: Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, who won the Linz women's tennis classic in 2015, received a wild card for qualification from tournament director Sandra Reichel. “The fans in Linz were fantastic. Upper Austria Ladies Linz has a very warm and charming atmosphere - every member of the team makes you feel welcome. The players' parties are always a highlight. I am grateful to Sandra that I can be there again this year. And I'll try to come back strong from my injury," said the 31-year-old 2021 French Open finalist.
ÖTV trio fights for entry into the main draw
Three Austrians are also trying their luck in qualifying: Upper Austrian Barbara Haas , Austria's long-time number one, received a wild card for her home tournament from Sandra Reichel, as did Sinja Kraus , number two behind Julia Grabher on ÖTV. "It's always nice to be able to play in your own country. I played here for the first time in November 2021 and felt really comfortable. Of course, I'm very happy that I got the wildcard and I'm looking forward to the experience I can gain here," said Sinja Kraus. The third in the group is Veronika Bokor , as reported, she earned her wildcard herself last weekend - as the winner of the Young Ladies Challenge in the Linz-Froschberg tennis center.