The Asian hard court swing is a crucial part of the tennis season, following the US Open and serving as a final push for players to gain ranking points before the year-end finals. While the tour features several tournaments in the region, a few stand out for their prestige, prize money and star-studded fields.
Some of these events are also great for betting and looking for upsets, as we’ve seen in previous years.
ATP Tournaments
The men’s tour, the ATP, features two major tournaments in Asia:
The Rolex Shanghai Masters is the marquee event of the swing and the only ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Asia. It’s a mandatory tournament for top-ranked players and offers a massive prize purse, making it a highly competitive and anticipated event. The tournament, held in Shanghai, China, draws a large and enthusiastic crowd.
The China Open is a combined ATP 500 and WTA 1000 event held in Beijing, China. The China Open attracts many top players due to its status and a significant number of ranking points. The tournament is a strong indicator of a player’s form leading into the final stretch of the season.
The Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships is an ATP 500 event held in Tokyo, Japan, with a rich history and known for its passionate fans and the high-quality tennis it produces. It consistently attracts a strong field of top players.
WTA Tournaments
The women’s tour, the WTA, has a strong presence in Asia, with several major events:
The China Open, as a WTA 1000 event, is a key stop for the world’s best female players. Held alongside the men’s tournament in Beijing, it provides a crucial opportunity for players to earn points for a spot in the WTA Finals.
The Wuhan Open, a WTA 1000 tournament held in Wuhan, China, is another significant event on the calendar. It often serves as a key warm-up for the China Open and provides a chance for players to gain momentum and ranking points.
The Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis is a WTA 500 event in Tokyo, Japan, and one of the longest-running tournaments in Asia. It has a reputation for attracting top players and showcases some of the most exciting matches of the swing.
These tournaments combine to create a compelling and high-stakes end to the regular tennis season. They offer players a last chance to secure their place among the elite and provide fans with some of the most exciting tennis of the year.
