Top Tennis Stars Set for Singapore Open Debut After Australian Swing

SINGAPORE — The inaugural Singapore Tennis Open (STO) 2025 is set to bring professional women’s tennis back to the city-state for the first time since the 2018 WTA Finals. The tournament, scheduled to begin on Jan. 27 at the Kallang Tennis Hub, will feature a star-studded lineup, including 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu and 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin.

World No. 14 Anna Kalinskaya, who reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2024 Australian Open, headlines the main-draw entry list. Kalinskaya, who also made her first WTA 1000 final in Dubai last year, expressed excitement about her Singapore debut. “I’m excited to play in the first year of the Singapore Tennis Open, and it will also be my first time in Singapore. I’ve heard amazing things about the energy of the fans and how multicultural the city is,” she said.

Raducanu, the former British No. 1, and Kenin, the 2020 WTA Player of the Year, will also make their first appearances in Singapore. Raducanu, who achieved a career-high ranking of No. 10 in 2024, is coming off a strong season, while Kenin, a former World No. 4, brings her aggressive playing style to the hardcourt event.

Other notable players include Grand Slam doubles champions Elise Mertens and Wang Xinyu. Mertens, a two-time Australian Open doubles winner, said, “It is always interesting to play in the opening edition of a tournament, and I’m excited to be a part of it!” Wang, who won the 2023 French Open doubles title, will be joined by compatriots Wang Yafan and Wang Xiyu, both ranked among China’s top 10 players.

The tournament will also feature qualifying rounds on Jan. 25 and 26, with free entry for fans. Laura Ceccarelli, co-Tournament Director, said, “The player field is looking good for the tournament, and I believe we are going to see some great matches in both singles and doubles.”

Yazed Osman, co-Tournament Director, highlighted the significance of the event, stating, “This will be the first international tour-level event at the Kallang Tennis Hub, and the tournament will be over the Lunar New Year, so there will be a lot to celebrate!”

Meanwhile, in Linz, Austria, the WTA 500 Upper Austria Ladies Linz will also kick off on Jan. 27. The event will feature 2021 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic, former World No. 3 players Elina Svitolina and Maria Sakkari, and 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova. Bencic, who returned to the tour after maternity leave, will use her special ranking of No. 15 to enter the tournament.

The Linz event will also include 2024 WTA Newcomer of the Year Lulu Sun and Auckland champion Clara Tauson, making it a competitive field for the indoor hardcourt tournament.