Emma Raducanu has already confirmed one tournament for the indoor swing as the former British world No. 10 signed up to participate at the Hong Kong Open in late October and early November.
This year, Hong Kong will be hosting two tournaments – an ATP 250 tournament but also a WTA 250 event. And so far, the organizers have landed some big names as world No. 6 Andrey Rublev is set to highlight the men’s player field.
Now that 2021 US Open champion Raducanu has also agreed to come to Hong Kong, there is no doubt that the women’s event will also feature some interesting names that will draw attention to the tournament.
Last year, Leylah Fernandez – who was beaten by Raducanu in the US Open final three years ago – won the title in Hong Kong.
“Hong Kong has the distinction of being only one of three cities in Asia, aside from Beijing and Tokyo, to stage both an ATP and WTA Tour event. The introduction of a WTA 125 event to Hong Kong this year provides an exciting new competitive opportunity for our elite local women players, along with other ‘rising stars’ in the region and internationally,” Hong Kong tournament director Michael Cheng said in a statement after the Raducanu news dropped.
Raducanu loves Asia and China specifically
Since Raducanu’s mother is Chinese, the 21-year-old Briton has always had a soft spot for China and Asian culture.
In late 2022, Raducanu competed in Seoul and made the semifinal there before retiring to Jelena Ostapenko. Last year while she was recovering from multiple surgeries, Raducanu went to China for a trip so she could spend some time there but also learn about their culture.
Now, Raducanu will be back in China in two months as the women’s tournament at Hong Kong Open is slated to take place between October 26 – November 3rd.