China Season in Progress — Chinese Team Ready to Launch, Draper Out for the Season

With the conclusion of the 2025 US Open, the tennis calendar officially shifts to Asia. Over the past two weeks, lower-tier tournaments such as WTA125 Changsha, WTA125 Huzhou, ATP CH100 Shanghai, and ATP CH100 Guangzhou have perfectly warmed up the Chinese season.

Highlights of the 2024 China Season

Image: Visual China Group

This year, the China season will kick off on September 14 in Chengdu and Hangzhou, concluding on November 2 in Jiujiang and Hong Kong. The nine tournaments, including the China Open, Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, Ningbo Open, and Guangzhou Open, cover ATP/WTA events ranging from 250 to 1000 level. As a crucial points window before the year-end finals, the China season holds significant strategic importance and will attract top players from around the world.

Zhang Zhizhen

Photo: Li Jianyi

Bu Yunchaokete

Photo: Li Jianyi

Wu Yibing

Photo: Li Jianyi

In the recently released entry list, former Chinese No.1 Zhang Zhizhen, who has been sidelined for six months, will return to competition in Hangzhou. Last year, he reached his first career tour final at this event, finishing as runner-up. Bu Yunchaokete and Wu Yibing will also compete on home soil. Defending champion Cilic, along with stars like Medvedev, Khachanov, and Rublev, will use Hangzhou as the starting point for their China season.

Shang Juncheng

Image: Visual China Group

Shang Juncheng will make his China season debut in Chengdu as the defending champion. Top 10 player Musetti, Griekspoor, and Brandon Nakashima are also set to participate.

Zheng Qinwen

Image: Visual China Group

Wang Xinyu

Image: Visual China Group

According to social media updates, China’s top female player Zheng Qinwen, who missed the North American season due to elbow surgery, has resumed on-court training. If all goes well, she will join Wang Xinyu, Yuan Yue, Zhang Shuai, and Jiang Xinyu to represent China at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals held in Shenzhen. Top players such as Sabalenka, Swiatek, and Gauff will begin their China season at the China Open.

Zhang Shuai

Image: Visual China Group

Yuan Yue

Photo: Li Jianyi

2024 China Season Singles Champions and Runners-up

ATP250 Chengdu Champion: Shang Juncheng Runner-up: Musetti

ATP250 Hangzhou Champion: Cilic Runner-up: Zhang Zhizhen

ATP500 China Open Champion: Alcaraz Runner-up: Sinner

WTA1000 China Open Champion: Gauff Runner-up: Muchova

ATP1000 Shanghai Masters Champion: Sinner Runner-up: Djokovic

WTA1000 Wuhan Champion: Sabalenka Runner-up: Zheng Qinwen

WTA500 Ningbo Champion: Kasatkina Runner-up: Andreyeva

WTA250 Guangzhou Champion: Danilovic Runner-up: Doornekamp

WTA250 Hong Kong Champion: Schneider Runner-up: Bolt

WTA250 Jiujiang Champion: Grubusic Runner-up: Sramkova

Draper

Image: Visual China Group

However, British No.1 Draper, who shone brightly in the first half of the year, has confirmed that he will end his season early due to injury. Currently ranked seventh in the world, he had previously registered for the ATP250 Chengdu event, which means he will miss the entire China season.

The 2025 China season, through collaboration among nine cities and innovative formats, aims to bring more excitement to global fans and help Chinese tennis reach new heights. As the curtain rises on the China season, which city will you visit to experience the passion of Chinese tennis live?

(Written and edited by: Dato)