Alexandra Eala, Paula Badosa, and Mirra Andreeva will kick off their European clay-court season at the 2026 Linz Open. Ahead of their campaigns at the WTA 500 event, the trio joined fellow players to celebrate the tournament’s 35th anniversary in style at the Alpine Player Night. Eala, Badosa, Andreeva, and others added local charm by embracing Austrian tradition and donning classic regional attire.
Alexandra Eala, Paula Badosa, and Mirra Andreeva Celebrate at Linz Open Party
Alexandra Eala, Paula Badosa, and Mirra Andreeva stole the spotlight at the bash in dirndls, classic folk dresses featuring a bodice, blouse, and apron, which were beautifully crafted by OÖ Heimatwerk. They joined defending champion Ekaterina Alexandrova, Julia Grabher, and Sinja Kraus for a lively evening at the players’ party.
Eala posed in a stylish wine-red dirndl.
Andreeva turned heads in her light blue attire.
Badosa radiated elegance in a sleek black look.
In addition to relishing the wine tasting, special performances, and gourmet treats at the event, the players also had the chance to display their competitive spirit in an Easter-themed egg-and-spoon race.
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Eala and Kraus ultimately claimed victory in the lighthearted challenge.
On the tennis front, Eala is set to face home favorite Julia Grabher in her opening match at the Linz Open. Badosa will square off against Lilli Tagger, with No. 3 seed Liudmila Samsonova looming in the second round. Meanwhile, top seed Andreeva will take on Sloane Stephens in a blockbuster encounter following a first-round bye.
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Linz Open Director Gives Alexandra Eala a Special Welcome
Ahead of the tournament, Sandra Reichel, the Linz Open tournament director, spoke highly of Eala, describing the 20-year-old as an “unbelievable” player. She highlighted how exciting it is to have someone of her caliber representing the Philippines and extended a warm welcome to the world No. 46.
“Alexandra is unbelievable and I think it’s great for the Philippines, for the people, for the tennis fans in the Philippines to have such an amazing player,” Reichel told Filipina journalist and former player Dyan Castillejo.
“Yes, she’s [Eala] in Linz already and we are celebrating our 35th anniversary this year. We are really a long-standing member of the whole tour and it’s great always to welcome new players and newcomers and players who will own the future, I would say. So it’s great to welcome Alexandra here in Linz in this special year.”
Eala will be aiming to win her maiden tour-level title at the WTA 500 event in Austria. However, the Filipina faces a tough path, with the likes of No. 4 seed Jelena Ostapenko, No. 7 seed Ann Li, and top seed Mirra Andreeva positioned in her section of the draw.
