WTA: Babsi Schett wins in Linz – and is easily at a loss

Barbara Schett has her hands full as tournament ambassador in Linz. But then there will be enough time to win prizes in competitions.

By Jens Huiber from Linz

Even Barbara Schett reaches her limits at some point. No, of course not during a skill exercise behind the wheel, which was announced by the automotive partner of the WTA tournament in Linz on Thursday. Of course, the Tyrolean tennis goddess won it. The prize, however, gave Schett food for thought.

It could perhaps have been a piston, at least a part that is an integral part of an internal combustion engine. And the presentation presented in Linz could also be used as a formidable weapon against uninvited guests. Whether Josh Eagle could develop a whole drivable vehicle out of it, Schett left open, the husband is just trying to get Samantha Stosur rolling one last time in Hong Kong.

The event in Linz has been running smoothly for days, also thanks to Babsi Schett. In case of doubt the tournament ambassador greets all guests personally, on Thursday it takes longer, the grandstands are well occupied. Schett also devotes himself to the players who would probably fail terribly in the travel plan of the former number seven of the world: Schett had actually spent a few days in Austria after her engagement, but in the worst possible triangular traffic of three provincial capitals, i.e. between Innsbruck, Vienna and Graz.

In Styria there was at least a tribute by the ITF to clarify business matters in Vienna, in Innsbruck hopefully old social contacts were cultivated. Then we continue to the Laver Cup in Chicago, again a different time zone, but at least plenty of frequent flyer miles.

No complaints from Babsi Schett, but why, there was also a bit of active sport with the German Davis Cup captain Michael Kohlmann, and at the Players´ party in Linz Schett was allowed to run in wrapped in a green toga. This would again be a surprise at the next tennis-specific event, the player celebrations at the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in the Vienna Stadthalle are not known for unusual wardrobe ideas.

Not even for challenges in automobiles, Barbara Schett will still give herself the biggest Austrian tennis event almost to the end. And then finally have plenty of time to think about the use of the supposed piston from Linz.