Hong Kong Tennis Open puts perfect case forward for upgrade to WTA 500 event
- City’s tennis chief ‘exploring opportunities’ as WTA 250 tournament makes successful comeback after five years away
- Philip Mok says government ‘sees value this gives not just to Hong Kong sports, but to Hong Kong as a city’
Tennis chief Philip Mok has called for the Prudential Hong Kong Open to be upgraded to a WTA 500 event, after the most successful edition of the tournament yet.
A slow start in terms of attendance numbers – thanks in no small part to Typhoon Koinu wiping out the whole first day – suggested the WTA 250 event might struggle after five years away.
But a bumper crowd turned up for the weekend at the Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, and were treated to a pair of fairy tale triumphs, capped off by Leylah Fernandez’s thrilling victory in the singles final on Sunday.
After some rave reviews from fans, players and WTA officials, the Hong Kong Tennis Association’s president was hoping to take the next step.
“We are definitely exploring any opportunities to upgrade, because look how well we have done,” Mok told the Post.
“A lot of things we are offering are probably at the level of a 500 already, so we will continue to explore these opportunities as the WTA continues to restructure its tour.”