The Return of Pro Women's Tennis to Singapore
As a tennis fan and recreational player, I was excited to see professional tennis right here at home on courts that I could play on! It also presented an incredible opportunity for Singapore’s younger tennis players, who were able to serve as ball kids after completing at least five training sessions.
Singapore recently hosted the first international women’s tennis tournament since 2019, when Sport Singapore and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) introduced the Singapore Tennis Open (STO). Founded in 1986 as the Carlsberg Singapore Women’s Open, the tournament ran for five years, with a final sixth year in 1994 after taking a three-year hiatus. Previously held on outdoor courts, the new iteration of the tournament took place on indoor courts at the newly constructed Kallang Tennis Hub.
The Open featured a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, attracting prominent players from around the globe. Participants included top-seeded Anna Kalinskaya from Russia, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu from the United Kingdom, and former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin from the United States. The event also saw participation from Grand Slam doubles champions Elise Mertens of Belgium and Wang Xinyu of China, who competed in the singles category, as well as 2025 Australian Open doubles champion Taylor Townsend from the United States.
Singles Competition
Elise Mertens, the tournament's second seed, delivered an outstanding performance throughout the week. She advanced to the final after a series of decisive victories, including a straight-set win over China's Wang Xinyu in the semifinals. In the championship match, Mertens faced American Ann Li. Demonstrating her experience and skill, Mertens secured the title with a 6-1, 6-4 victory, claiming her ninth career WTA singles title and her first since October 2023.
Doubles Competition
The doubles final featured the second-seeded duo of Desirae Krawczyk from the United States and Giuliana Olmos from Mexico against China's Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai. Krawczyk and Olmos showcased exceptional teamwork and strategy, overcoming a mid-match surge from their opponents to win 7-5, 6-0. This victory marked their first title together in nearly five years, highlighting their successful partnership on the court.
Community Engagement and Activities
Beyond the on-court action, the Singapore Tennis Open emphasized community involvement and the promotion of tennis at the grassroots level. The Fan Village at the Kallang Tennis Hub offered a variety of tennis-themed activities, including meet-and-greet sessions with WTA players Tamarine Tanasugarn and Yayuk Basuki, who served as STO Community Ambassadors. These interactions gave fans unique opportunities to engage with professional athletes and learn from their experiences.
The Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup (STIC) ran concurrently with the main tournament. It featured 32 national players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Cambodia. This regional competition aimed to showcase local talent and foster a spirit of camaraderie among neighboring countries. Singapore emerged victorious in the STIC final, edging past Indonesia with a 3-2 victory.
The success of the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open has set the stage for the tournament to become a staple in the WTA calendar. Plans are already in place to host the event annually through 2027. This commitment underscores Singapore's dedication to solidifying its status as a premier destination for international sporting events.
The 2025 Singapore Tennis Open not only brought elite women's tennis back to Singapore but also fostered community engagement and regional collaboration. The tournament's successful debut promises a bright future for tennis in the region, inspiring a new generation of players and enthusiasts.
