LINZ, September 13, 2019

Organizers of the Upper Austria Ladies Linz 2019 announced on Friday that former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova will return to the WTA International Event for the first time in 13 years.

The 32-year-old Russian clinched the title in Linz back in 2006. “I am really very proud that Maria decided to join the tournament’s line-up again 13 years after her triumph,” organizer Sandra Reichel stated in a press release.

“I have so many great memories of the Linz tournament and I am really excited to be coming back to see many of my amazing fans,” Sharapova stated.

“I am very appreciative to the tournament and the sponsors and just very excited to play.”

The current World No. 135 had been sidelined from the courts for five months this season due to a shoulder injury and started her comeback at the Mallorca Open grass-court tournament in June.

The Upper Austria Ladies Linz offers a total prize money of $250,000 and will be held from 6 to 13 October 2019 at the Tips Arena Linz. For more information and tickets, please visit the tournament’s official website.