Women’s tennis to return to Wuhan for the first time since 2019, with WTA 1000 tournament
- Mainland Chinese city is home to former Australian Open and French Open champion Li Na
The Wuhan Open is back on the women’s tennis schedule for the first time since 2019 after organisers announced it would be staged in the Chinese city in October.
The 1000 tournament has not featured on the WTA circuit since Covid-19 was discovered in the city, which became the location of the first lockdown of the pandemic in January 2020.
Wuhan, home to former Australian Open and French Open champion Li Na, saw the sport’s popularity surge in the last two decades. Australian Open finalist Zheng Qinwen had also relocated there as a child for training.
“We are delighted to announce the return of the WTA 1000 event to Wuhan, and reignite the thrill of elite tennis competition in one of Asia’s most vibrant cities,” Jorge Salkeld, senior vice-president of organisers Octagon Tennis was reported as saying by state media.
The tournament will be held from October 7 to 13 at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center in Wuhan.
“The Wuhan Open has crowned many iconic champions since the inaugural event was held in 2014, including Venus Williams, Petra Kvitova and reigning champion Aryna Sabalenka,” Steve Simon, the WTA chairman and CEO, said. “We are excited to now write another chapter of the tournament’s history in 2024.”
