Two ITF tournaments bring WTA flair to South Tyrol
13.11.25
Soon, the Val Gardena will transform into a Mecca for international women’s tennis. One after the other, TC Urtijei in Runggaditsch and TC Gherdeina in Wolkenstein will host the two biggest international tennis tournaments of the year in South Tyrol. Both events offer prize money of $40,000 each and promise top-level sporting quality.
The season kicks off on 23 November with the ITF tournament in Runggaditsch, organised by tournament director Martina Moser and her dedicated team around club president Patrizia Mairhofer. Play then continues in Wolkenstein, where TC Gherdeina will host the second tournament of this small but prestigious South Tyrolean tennis series.
Upgrade to $40,000 – a clear commitment to women’s tennis
This year, the Ortisei tournament has been significantly upgraded: instead of $25,000 as in 2024, the prize money now totals $40,000. This is a clear signal of the event’s rising sporting standard and attractiveness. The upgrade not only brings more world ranking points—particularly relevant for players preparing for the first Grand Slam of the year in Australia—but also attracts a stronger international field to South Tyrol.
International field – 16 nations represented
The provisional entry list already promises high-quality competition: top seed Sofia Costoulas from Belgium (WTA 152) is an emerging Next-Gen star who has made waves on the WTA Tour. Also participating are Susan Bandecchi, a former player at TC Rungg, and Silvia Ambrosio, last year’s finalist.
Adding extra excitement is the entry of Noma Noha Akugue from Germany. The 21-year-old, known for her powerful groundstrokes, was ranked world No. 142 in 2023 and is considered one of the biggest talents in German women’s tennis.
Particularly remarkable is the international diversity of the field: of the 18 main-draw players currently entered, 16 come from different nations, including Australia, the USA, Cyprus, Canada, Portugal, and Ukraine.
Tournament with WTA flair
Most players are accommodated at the official Rodes Hotel in St. Ulrich, though some arrange their own lodgings—often slightly further afield to save costs. They then commute by car to matches and training sessions at the Runggaditsch tennis hall, which has long been recognised as one of the most beautiful venues in South Tyrolean tennis.
For the organising team around Martina Moser and Patrizia Mairhofer, the tournament means one thing above all: hard work, but also great anticipation for a true tennis festival. “We are proud to be able to host an event of such international appeal here in the valley,” says Moser.
And fans can look forward to a treat: from 23 November, when the first matches are played, Val Gardena will be filled with genuine WTA atmosphere—top players, emerging talents, and a hint of world-class tennis amid the Dolomite peaks and the Runggaditsch tennis hall.
