Standing for the first time since 2008 four Austrians in the main competition. Julia Grabher (number 89 in the world) and Anastasia Potapowa (97) even qualified directly for the draw, alongside Lilli Tagger (117) got too Sinja Kraus (119) a wild card from the tournament director Sandra Reichel.
Julia Grabher sees it as positive not having to play a solo entertainer like she did a few years ago. “With this competition we push each other,” says Julia Graber, who faces the newly promoted Filipino team on Tuesday Alexandra Eala who last reached the semi-finals in Miami. “Maybe we can encourage others to take the professional path in tennis.”
Kraus also likes pushing each other. “We are pretty close together in the rankings, which is inspiring,” says the Viennese, who will also meet Romanian Sorana Cirstea on Tuesday, who turns 36 today and will end her career after the season. “That’s why I want to send her home quickly,” smiles Kraus. Neo-Austrian Potapowa will only play against the Chinese on Wednesday Shang Zhuai.
No Billie Jean King Cup
Of course, none of them can Billie Jean Cup Tournament in Bosnia of Europe Africa Zone 2. “I would love to play for Austria. But we only have one tournament highlight in the country every year,” says Grabher.