Laura Mair has secured a wild card into the main draw of the 2026 Rovereto Open, earning a direct entry into the $125,000 WTA-125 tournament where she will compete alongside Grand Slam champion Bianca Andreescu. Ranked No. 434 in the world, the 23-year-old tennis player from the Val Gardena region will have the opportunity to test herself against an international field at the Palabaldresca venue in northern Italy.
The tournament runs from October 11 to October 18, 2026. Qualifying matches begin on Sunday, October 11, followed by the start of the main draw on Monday, October 12.
Tournament Director Luca Stoppini Selects Local Talent for Main Draw
Tournament Director Luca Stoppini announced the wild card selections during an official event presentation at the Palazzo Pretorio. Stoppini explained the reasoning behind awarding a main-draw spot to Mair, pointing to the collaborative relationship between tournament organizers and the local tennis structure.
“I appreciate the head coach of TC Gherdeina, Stefano Bassetto, very much and we work well together,” Stoppini said at the presentation. Mair represents the local tennis club TC Gherdeina.
The decision brings regional interest to the tournament. Rovereto is situated close to South Tyrol, allowing local fans to easily travel to watch a homegrown player compete in an event that draws talent from outside the immediate region.
Bianca Andreescu Headlines a Competitive Field in Rovereto
The entry list for the second Rovereto Open features several notable names from the professional tour. Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world, highlights the 32-player main draw. Italian competitor Lucia Bronzetti and Lisa Pigato have also confirmed their participation in the tournament.
For Mair, the tournament presents a stark contrast to her standard tour routine. Entering the event as the world No. 434 places her alongside Grand Slam winners and former top-five players, offering a benchmark against elite competition.
Organizers Award Wild Cards Before October 11 Qualifying
In addition to Mair, tournament organizers awarded their second wild card to Elisa Visentin, repeating the selection made in the previous year’s event. The Italian Tennis and Padel Federation (FITP) allocated its own wild cards to Noemi Basiletti, Samira De Stefano, and Federica Urgesi.
The tournament schedule begins with public draws held on Saturday at the headquarters of CT Rovereto. The 16-player qualifying rounds take place on Sunday, October 11, determining the final qualifiers to join the 32-player main draw and the 16-team doubles field.
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