WTA Linz: The winners from 30 years greet the anniversary
It is like balm for Sandra Reichel's soul when she receives encouraging video messages from former winners of the Linz WTA tournament on the 30th anniversary - from Manuela Maleeva (1991) to “Coco” Gauff (2019)! Especially at a time when the tournament director of the “Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2020” is faced with the great challenge of having to hold the women's tennis classic from November 7th to 15th without a spectator.
by PM
last edit: Nov 05, 2020, 01:26 pm
The “creme de la creme” of women's tennis has presented itself in Linz over the course of three decades and felt like a second home here. Embedded in a team of the tournament marketer MatchMaker, who read every wish from the eyes of the tennis ladies. 18 players who have become number one in the world in their careers have enchanted the Linz tennis audience. One or two former winners would have loved to come back to the site of their triumph in the anniversary year. But the corona pandemic became a spoilsport!
And so the idea with the greeting videos came up. A total of twelve ex-champions sent very personally recorded declarations of love to Linz with their own smartphones. Of course, in addition to the WTA, the long-time tournament ambassador Barbara Schett also let her good contacts play with the video acquisition. The native Tyrolean would have celebrated her 15th anniversary as an ambassador this year. But instead, she has to fly back to her adopted country of Australia on November 8th and undertake a 14-day hotel quarantine there. She organized the messages of her old tour friends Justine Henin, Mary Pierce, Sabine Appelmans and Daniela Hantuchova.
Hantuchova: "The tournament will always stay in my heart"
“Linz was always one of my favorite tour stops in the tournament year. It's one of those events that will stay in my heart forever. That is simply due to the whole team and the way in which the players are welcomed, "enthuses Daniela Hantuchova , the 2007 tournament winner." A big thank you and virtual hugs to Sandra, Peter-Michael and 'Babsi' - this one three people make the tournament so special. These are the names that for me are forever associated with Linz. "
The players have always appreciated the feel-good atmosphere and the familiar atmosphere. “Personally, I only have fond memories of Linz, you have done a great job over the past 30 years! You give emotions and you offer the players the opportunity to share their passion with many fans, ”says Justine Henin. The former world number one won the Linz title in 2002. “Congratulations to Sandra and her entire team! I've always loved this tournament, ”explains Dominika Cibulkova (2016). The two-time Linz title holder Ana Ivanovic says: “30 years - what a fantastic achievement! It has always been a great pleasure for me to play there, and of course I have special memories of my titles in 2008 and 2010. For another 30 years! ” Petra Kvitova finds very loving words:“ It's a great tournament that I very dear to my heart. The wonderful memories of my title win will always have a place in my heart. ”The two-time Wimbledon winner Kvitova was victorious in 2011 in Linz. A year after her, Victoria Azarenka won . "Vika" says in her greeting video: "I can hardly wait to come back and serve in Linz. Thank you very much for the great work!"
At the same time, the Linz legends pay tribute to Sandra Reichel for organizing the anniversary tournament “30 Years Upper Austria Ladies Linz” despite all the adversities. SabineAppelmans stresses: "First of all I would like to congratulate you mean that you have made this year to bounce the tournament. It's not easy in these times. I hope it will be a successful tournament. And I hope the atmosphere will be as I've always remembered it - very friendly and familiar. ”Appelmans won the title in 1994 and 1996. Barbora Strycova entered the 2017 list of winners. She says, “Good luck this week; it was a difficult year for everyone. I wish you health and lots of energy for the tournament. Take care and celebrate nicely! "
The “Upper Austria Ladies Linz” has been Austria's most important women's sports event for many years. The Linz champions appreciate the great commitment of Sandra Reichel and her father Peter-Michael Reichel to women's tennis: “Thank you for all of these years in which you have supported women's tennis! God save you ”, says the French woman Mary Pierce , the 1999 winner. “ Coco ”Gauff enthuses:“ I had so much fun at this tournament last year! And I would like to congratulate the organizers and all employees on providing a great stage for women's tennis for 30 years. "
Maleeva: "I'm proud to be your first champion"
Gauff won her first WTA title in Linz as a 15-year-old last year. For her, the “Upper Austria Ladies Linz” was a career milestone. And not just for you! "I still have fantastic memories of my tournament victory in 1997. It was my first WTA title and it played a key role in my career," said US American Chanda Rubin. She also highlighted the historical dimension of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz: “I am very happy that I was able to be part of this historical event. The tournament is the second oldest indoor tournament on the WTA calendar - what an unbelievable achievement! ”Only the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart (formerly Fildertstadt) is older, it celebrated its premiere in 1978.
The Linz premiere winner Manuela Maleeva sends emotional words to Upper Austria: “I am very proud to be your first champion, and I am very happy that you can host this tournament in this challenging year. I am sure that all players are looking forward to playing in Linz. And I'm looking forward to seeing you on TV! "