AMSTETTEN/STARNBERG, July 10, 2026
The LADIES OPEN Amstetten powered by SPORTLAND Niederösterreich is set to showcase world-class women’s tennis, with an outstanding international field featuring players from more than 20 countries across the main draw and qualifying competition.
The strength of this year’s entry list is reflected in the players’ recent form. A remarkable 17 competitors have already won at least one international title in 2026, combining for 25 tournament victories this season. The tournament is led by Austrian Julia Grabher, who returns as the top seed after reaching the semi-finals in Amstetten last year.
Grabher Returns as Top Seed
Former world No. 54 Julia Grabher once again heads the field and will be aiming to capture the title that has so far eluded her. The Austrian was forced to withdraw through injury in 2024 and, despite entering last year’s tournament as the top seed, saw her title hopes end in the semi-finals against Lilli Tagger. This year, Grabher returns determined to complete unfinished business and lift the trophy in Amstetten for the first time.
Joining her in the main draw is fellow Austrian Ekaterina Perelygina, who has received the tournament’s first home wild card. The 19-year-old recently claimed her maiden ITF World Tennis Tour title before becoming the Austrian national champion, underlining her status as one of the country’s brightest young talents.
Tournament Director Thorsten Liebich is confident Perelygina can make an impact.
“Kate has made tremendous progress over the past few months. Winning her first ITF title and the national championship has shown that she belongs at this level. I believe she is capable of producing one or two surprises in Amstetten.”
Further Austrian wild cards will be announced in the coming days, strengthening the home contingent even further.
17 Title Winners in the Draw
Alongside Grabher and Perelygina, fans can look forward to watching a host of in-form international players.
Italy’s Lisa Pigato arrives after winning three titles in 2026, including a WTA 125 crown. Spain’s Angela Fita Boluda and Armenia’s Elina Avanesyan, who reached a career-high world ranking of No. 36 in 2025, have both captured ITF W100 titles this season and are among the leading contenders.
One Wild Card Still Available
The tournament field could still become even stronger, with the organisers considering keeping one wild card available until the official draw.
“We’re especially pleased that Julia Grabher once again tops the seeding list,” said Tournament Director Thorsten Liebich. “It reflects the tremendous progress Austrian women’s tennis has made. At the time of the entry deadline for the first edition of the tournament, every Austrian player would have needed a wild card to enter the main draw, even though the event was held at a lower category.”
He added: “We may keep one wild card open until the draw. That gives us the flexibility to add another exciting Austrian or international player at short notice.”
Players Keep Returning to Amstetten
The tournament has quickly built an outstanding reputation on the ITF World Tennis Tour. Thirty-one players currently listed in the main draw, qualifying or alternates competed in Amstetten in either 2024 or 2025, highlighting the event’s growing popularity among players.
Now upgraded to ITF W100 level, the LADIES OPEN Amstetten continues its impressive development. With players representing more than 20 nations, numerous recent champions and one of the strongest fields in the tournament’s history, fans can look forward to a week of top-class women’s tennis. Growing ticket demand weeks before the tournament begins further reflects the event’s rapidly rising profile on the international tennis calendar.
