Tennis’ ATP Tour to return to Hong Kong in 2024 with 250 event as city benefits from India’s misfortune
- Victoria Park expected to be site of tournament in January next year, according to sources in the city
- Global sporting group IMG holds rights to event at start of year, which has previously been held in India
Elite men’s tennis is set to return to Hong Kong next year, with an ATP Tour 250 event expected to be scheduled for January.
Although officials are not expected to confirm the move for another day or so, sources locally said a tournament would take place at Victoria Park at the start of 2024.
The return of top-flight men’s tennis to the city for the first time since 2002 appears to have come at the expense of India, with media there reporting that global sports group IMG was not going to renew its contract for the Tata Open.
That tournament has been held in Pune since 2018 and an ATP 25O event was first held in New Delhi in 1996, before it was moved to Chennai.
As the rights holder for the tournament, IMG has reportedly opted to move it to Hong Kong after its financial demands – US$1 million for hosting rights, US$700,000 prize money and other operating costs – were deemed unrealistic by the Maharashtra government.