Wuhan Open 2024 Preview: When is it, who is playing and what is the prize money?
The final WTA 1000 event of the season is nearly here, as the 2024 Wuhan Open marks the tournaments return after a five year hiatus.
And we, at Tennishead, have all you need to know about the highly anticipated tournament:
When is the Wuhan Open 2024?
The main draw of the Wuhan Open begins on Monday 7th October, concluding on Sunday 13th October with both the singles and doubles finals.
Play on most days will start at 11am local time (4am BST), with qualifying is being conducted over the coming weekend (Saturday 5th October – Sunday 6th October).
2 DAYS TO GO 🎾
DONGFENG VOYAH • WUHAN OPEN #wta #wuhanopen pic.twitter.com/Nb4ENEu77K
— DONGFENG VOYAH • WUHAN OPEN (@wuhanopentennis) October 3, 2024
Where is the Wuhan Open held?
The Wuhan tournament will be held at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre, as it has done since the second edition of the tournament in 2025.
There are a total of eight outdoor hard courts at the Wuhan venue, headlined by Central Court (15,000 seats) and Court 1 (5,000 seats).
Who is playing at the Wuhan Open 2024?
After Iga announced that she would be continuing her hiatus from the WTA Tour after splitting with her coach of three years, Tomasz Witkowski, Aryna Sabalenka takes her place as the top seed in Wuhan this year.
Unfortunately @iga_swiatek will not play in Wuhan this year. She is taking some time after making changes in her team.
We will miss you Iga. See you next year ❤️— DONGFENG VOYAH • WUHAN OPEN (@wuhanopentennis) October 4, 2024
Sabalenka claimed the Wuhan title on the last two occasions that the tournament was held, as she looks to go for the treble to further close the gap on World No.1 Swiatek.
However, the three-time major winner will face tough competition from the likes of Jessica Pegula, Jasmine Paolini, Coco Gauff, Chinese No.1 Qinwen Zheng, and Karolina Muchova, who ended Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak earlier today in Beijing.
There is also the added element of the WTA Finals to consider, with Emma Navarro, Daria Kasatkina and the in-form Paula Badosa all still in contention.
Wuhan wildcards have been awarded to Chinese player Wang Xiyu, as well as Jaqueline Cristian, Katie Volynets and Alex Eala.
How many ranking points are on offer at the Wuhan Open 2024?
With the WTA Finals quickly approaching, Wuhan is the biggest remaining opportunity for players to secure vital points to help qualify for the year-end tournament.
Here is a breakdown for the ranking points on offer next week:
| Event | W | F | SF | QF | Round of 16 | Round of 32 | Round of 64 | Q | Q2 | Q1 |
| Singles | 1000 | 650 | 390 | 215 | 120 | 65 | 10 | 30 | 20 | 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles | 10 | — | — | — | — |
What is the prize money for the Wuhan Open 2024?
The total prize money on offer at the Wuhan Open this year is $3,221,715, which is nearly a million dollars more than when the event was last held in 2019.
And here is how both singles and doubles players can get a share of that prize money:
| Event | W | F | SF | QF | Round of 16 | Round of 32 | Round of 64 | Q2 | Q1 |
| Singles | $525,115 | $309,280 | $159,439 | $73,193 | $36,568 | $20,714 | $14,846 | $8,828 | $4,624 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Doubles* | $154,640 | $86,980 | $46,715 | $24,165 | $13,693 | $9,128 | — | — | — |
*Per team
Previous winners of the Wuhan Open
As previously mentioned, Aryna Sabalenka has dominated the last two editions of the Wuhan Open, before the tournament took a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the WTA’s suspension of tournaments in China due to the disappearance of former player Peng Shuai.
In 2019, Sabalenka beat Alison Riske-Amritraj in a three set final, while the pairing of Veronika Kudermetova and Yingying Duan took home the doubles title.
Here are all of the past champions since the inaugural Wuhan Open took place in 2014:
| Year | Singles Champion | Doubles Champions |
| 2014 | Petra Kvitova | Flavia Pennetta & Martina Hingis |
| 2015 | Venus Williams | Sania Mirza & Martina Hingis (2) |
| 2016 | Petra Kvitova (2) | Lucie Safarova & Bethanie Mattek-Sands |
| 2017 | Caroline Garcia | Latisha Chan & Martina Hingis (3) |
| 2018 | Aryna Sabalenka | Elise Mertens & Demi Schuurs |
| 2019 | Aryna Sabalenka (2) | Yingying Duan & Veronika Kudermetova |
| 2020-2023 | Not held due to Covid-19/Peng Shuai Hiatus | – |
How can you watch the Wuhan Open 2024?
You can watch the Wuhan Open on Sky Sports in the United Kingdom or Ireland, as well as across other parts of Europe, and on Tennis Channel in the United States of America.
For more information on how to watch the returning tournament in your location, visit the official WTA website here.
READ MORE: Iga Swiatek announces split from long-term coach Tomasz Wiktorowski
Join >> Receive $700/£600 of tennis gear from the Tennishead CLUB
Social >> Facebook, Twitter & YouTube
Read >> World’s best tennis magazine
Shop >> Lowest price tennis gear from our trusted partner
