https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/325504/feed The Women's Tennis Association (WTA), founded in 1973 by Billie Jean King, is the principal organising body of women's professional tennis. It governs the WTA Tour which is the worldwide professional tennis tour for women. The WTA's corporate headquarters is in St. Petersburg, Florida, with its European headquarters in London and its Asia-Pacific headquarters in Beijing. en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Agence France-Presse,Agencies Agence France-Presse,Agencies Freshly crowned China Open champion Zheng Qinwen withdrew on Monday from her home tournament in Wuhan, citing fatigue and a right shoulder injury. Zheng became the first Chinese player to clinch the Beijing title on Sunday by defeating reigning Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in the final. It was Zheng’s first WTA 1000-level triumph and her first title since winning Tokyo two years ago. “I’m very sorry to share that I will be withdrawing from this year’s Wuhan Open,” Zheng said in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370542/china-open-champ-zheng-qinwen-withdraws-wuhan-citing-fatigue-shoulder-injury?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 12 Oct 2026 09:00:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Zheng Qinwen became the first home winner of the China Open on Sunday as she beat Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 7-5, 6-4, in front of a partisan crowd in Beijing. The former world No 4 and current Olympic champion was a wild-card entry, having struggled with form and fitness after elbow surgery in 2025. At one point this year she had dropped as low as 122nd in the world. It was the 54th-ranked Zheng’s first title in nearly two years, and her first ever at the WTA 1000 level, and tears filled... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370507/zheng-qinwen-claims-china-open-title-beats-mirra-andreeva-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370507/zheng-qinwen-claims-china-open-title-beats-mirra-andreeva-straight-sets?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:36:56 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Cinemas across China will throw open their doors for a special showing on Sunday, but it isn’t the latest blockbuster fans are flocking to see – it’s tennis star Zheng Qinwen. The Olympic champion has finally broken her country’s China Open curse, and will be the first home player to compete in a singles final, men’s or women’s, since Chen Li lost to Chinese Taipei’s Wang Shi-ting in 1996. With the National Tennis Centre in Beijing selling out, cinemas across the mainland have opted to show the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370487/china-cinemas-tap-zheng-tennis-fever-gripping-country-ahead-womens-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3370487/china-cinemas-tap-zheng-tennis-fever-gripping-country-ahead-womens-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Oct 2026 08:00:16 +0000 Agencies Agencies A resurgent Zheng Qinwen charged into the China Open final on Saturday, beating Elise Mertens 7-5, 6-2, and will play Mirra Andreeva for the title at her home tournament. It is another step in the Olympic gold medallist’s injury comeback, following a gritty showing at last month’s US Open, where she reached the quarter-finals. Zheng, a former world No 4, had struggled with her form since needing elbow surgery in 2025 and is a wild-card entry in Beijing. “I had a great performance tonight,” said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370453/resurgent-home-favourite-zheng-qinwen-charges-china-open-final-mirra-andreeva?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 10 Oct 2026 14:05:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Home-grown hero Zheng Qinwen pulled out some of her best tennis to beat Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina 6-3, 7-6 at the China Open on Friday and storm into the semi-finals. Zheng, a wild-card entry in Beijing, finally notched her first straight-sets win of this year’s tournament, having needed more than 10 hours on court to get to the quarter-final. The world No 54 sent the crowd roaring as she punched winners down the line, though the seventh-ranked Svitolina came back fighting to force a second-set... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370357/wild-card-zheng-qinwen-finally-wins-straight-sets-reach-china-open-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3370357/wild-card-zheng-qinwen-finally-wins-straight-sets-reach-china-open-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 09 Oct 2026 09:41:06 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen begins her China Open campaign on Friday confident she can recapture the form that made her among the best women’s players in the world, despite the pressures that come from trying to win at home. The former world No 4 and Olympic gold medallist said she was fully prepared for what lay ahead, even though she dropped outside the top 100 at one stage this season. But an impressive run to the quarter-finals of the US Open has helped her bounce back to near the top 50, and good... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369353/zheng-qinwen-confident-mood-ahead-china-open-admits-pressure-playing-home?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3369353/zheng-qinwen-confident-mood-ahead-china-open-admits-pressure-playing-home?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:31:55 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Tennis legend Billie Jean King and two former professionals acknowledged modern players are suffering from burnout, but believed any change would be affected by the differing needs of elite players and rest, and the commercial pressure of tournaments. At present, WTA rules say players ranked in the top 30 must compete in all grand slams and ten WTA 1000 tournaments, and skipping these events results in ranking penalties and heavy financial fines that directly damage world standings and core... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3368891/billie-jean-king-says-reforming-tennis-challenge-schedule-sparks-burnout-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3368891/billie-jean-king-says-reforming-tennis-challenge-schedule-sparks-burnout-concerns?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Sep 2026 09:30:11 +0000 Reuters Reuters The Philippines Tennis Association (Philta) has filed a ⁠request with the ⁠WTA on behalf of ⁠Alexandra Eala, requesting an exemption from the mandatory China Open so that the world No 18 can represent her country at the Asian Games. Eala, who has become a fan favourite ‌with wins over some of the biggest names on the circuit including Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, is the highest-ranked player in the women’s singles draw at the Asian Games, which begin on Saturday and conclude on October... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367733/philippines-seeks-wta-exemption-alexandra-eala-skips-china-open-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3367733/philippines-seeks-wta-exemption-alexandra-eala-skips-china-open-asian-games?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 16 Sep 2026 13:00:08 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan The newest tennis star in China said she wanted to be like Zheng Qinwen and hoped she could play against the Olympic champion on the professional tour one day, after reaching the US Open girls’ singles final. Sun Xinran beat Chukwumelije Clarke of the United States 7-5, 0-6, 6-1 to reach the final, where she will face fifth seed Russian teenage girl Anna Pushkareva. New York is the third grand slam final for Sun this year, after reaching the last two at the French Open and Wimbledon, but she has... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3367299/chinas-newest-tennis-star-sun-facing-familiar-foe-third-junior-grand-slam-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2026 11:00:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko and her Taiwanese partner, Hsieh Su-wei, missed out on the US Open women’s doubles semi-finals after losing to Elise Mertens and Diana Shnaider on Tuesday. Leading up to the match, Ostapenko was at ⁠the centre of another ⁠heated US Open exchange on Monday, confronting an opposing coach after reaching the women’s doubles quarter-finals with Hsieh. The fourth seeds beat Australian-Taiwanese pair Maya ‌Joint and Chan Hao-ching 6-4, 6-4, but tempers flared after... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3366890/meet-jelena-ostapenko-fiery-latvian-tennis-star-making-headlines-over-us-open-drama?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3366890/meet-jelena-ostapenko-fiery-latvian-tennis-star-making-headlines-over-us-open-drama?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2026 07:26:35 +0000 Josh Ball,Stephy Zhang Josh Ball,Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen has described her slow return to form as a painful rebirth that left her questioning herself and led to “uncomfortable conversations” with her parents and coaches. After months of struggling on the tour, the Chinese star has returned to form at the US Open, and produced a second thrilling win in a matter of days on Monday in New York, battling back from 5-0 down to beat Iga Swiatek in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals. The former world No 4 has been in such poor form for the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366715/nothing-lucky-about-beating-swiatek-zheng-says-after-reaching-us-open-last-8?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366715/nothing-lucky-about-beating-swiatek-zheng-says-after-reaching-us-open-last-8?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:02:45 +0000 SCMP Sport,Associated Press SCMP Sport,Associated Press Alexandra Eala cruised to a straight sets win in the first round of the US Open, then thanked her legions of fans who turned the tournament into a home away from home for the Philippine star. Eala dispatched American Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in Louis Armstrong Stadium, cheered on by supporters who had packed out the practice court just to watch her train in the hours before her opening match. In a brief on-court interview, the charismatic 21-year-old said the fans made it “such a pleasure to do my... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366051/beaming-alexandra-eala-thanks-raucous-fans-after-cruising-us-open-first-round-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3366051/beaming-alexandra-eala-thanks-raucous-fans-after-cruising-us-open-first-round-win?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2026 03:49:27 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan He has been stung by the likes of Emma Raducanu and Naomi Osaka bailing out of his tournaments at the eleventh hour, but the head of Hong Kong tennis has thrown his weight behind the sport’s controversial jam-packed calendar. Equally, Michael Cheng Ming-git, president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA), said the city was getting bang for its buck from hosting ATP and WTA 250 events every year. After a spate of high-profile withdrawals from last week’s Canadian Open, the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3364428/hong-kong-tennis-chief-says-city-getting-bang-buck-hosting-wta-atp-events?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/hong-kong/article/3364428/hong-kong-tennis-chief-says-city-getting-bang-buck-hosting-wta-atp-events?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Aug 2026 00:00:18 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse On a Manila court made of crushed seashells, an earnest four-year-old sends a forehand sailing wide – one of dozens of children aiming to follow in the footsteps of the Philippines’ first home-grown tennis sensation, Alexandra Eala. The 21-year-old’s rise has sparked a rush of interest in a sport typically seen as the preserve of the elite in a country best known for its love of basketball, boxing and cockfighting. Racquet sales are up and scoring one of the few available playing venues has... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363982/i-want-be-eala-philippine-star-sparks-tennis-boom-home-court-time-premium?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363982/i-want-be-eala-philippine-star-sparks-tennis-boom-home-court-time-premium?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Aug 2026 04:00:23 +0000 Reuters Reuters A string of withdrawals ⁠from the Canadian Open underscored concerns ⁠that professional tennis’s lengthy calendar and expanded top-level ⁠events are increasing injury risks, the Professional Tennis Players Association has said. The players’ advocacy group said it was saddened but not surprised by the absences from the tournament, arguing that reduced recovery time between tournaments was contributing to injuries occurring earlier in the season and becoming more serious. In Montreal, the men’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363616/tennis-players-group-says-arm-injuries-over-100-calls-shorter-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363616/tennis-players-group-says-arm-injuries-over-100-calls-shorter-season?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Aug 2026 07:00:07 +0000 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3363970/alexandra-eala-makes-history-wta-victory?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3363970/alexandra-eala-makes-history-wta-victory?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 10:00:00 +0000 Bernard Chan Bernard Chan Every Fifa World Cup begins with a script based on rankings, reputations and player salaries. Every World Cup also produces a few teams determined to tear up that script. This summer, the most memorable stories came from beyond the usual nations in the form of smaller sides such as Cabo Verde or Curacao, the smallest nation ever to qualify for the tournament. Their performances gave the expanded tournament some of its most compelling moments. For many viewers, the underdog has a natural pull. It... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363114/why-underdogs-alexandra-eala-cabo-verde-dear-you-fascinate-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3363114/why-underdogs-alexandra-eala-cabo-verde-dear-you-fascinate-us?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Aug 2026 01:30:07 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Alexandra Eala was already on her way to becoming the Philippines’ next global star, and that was before she beat a grand slam winner, an Olympic gold medallist and the defending champion while winning her maiden WTA singles title. Following her fairy tale run at Wimbledon, the 21-year-old’s victory over world No 3 Jessica Pagula in the Washington Open on Tuesday has sparked another surge of interest in the sport in her home country. Her performance drew praise from Philippine President... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363011/first-filipino-wta-winner-alexandra-eala-backed-sporting-pedigree-unstoppable-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3363011/first-filipino-wta-winner-alexandra-eala-backed-sporting-pedigree-unstoppable-spirit?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Aug 2026 05:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Alexandra Eala capped her giant-killing run at the Washington Open with a 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 victory over top-seeded Jessica Pegula on Monday to become the first player from the Philippines to win a WTA title. Eala, now ranked world No 20, overpowered Pegula over the final two sets as play resumed in the final, suspended after lengthy weather delays on Sunday. The 21-year-old left-hander produced a rock-solid service display and an impressive array of winners to deny world No 3 Pegula a 12th career... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362857/really-really-proud-eala-makes-history-first-filipino-win-wta-singles-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362857/really-really-proud-eala-makes-history-first-filipino-win-wta-singles-title?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Aug 2026 02:15:34 +0000 Andrew Scott Andrew Scott Alexandra Eala rallied to beat China’s Zheng Qinwen in the first round at the Washington Open on Wednesday. Making her debut in Washington, the world No 28 fought back to beat wild card Zheng 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in two hours and 26 minutes. Eala will face defending champion and No 7 seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada for a place in the last eight. The young rising star made global headlines earlier this month after beating Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon to become the first Philippines player to reach the last... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362233/filipino-tennis-star-alexandra-eala-stuns-zheng-qinwen-thrilling-washington-open-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3362233/filipino-tennis-star-alexandra-eala-stuns-zheng-qinwen-thrilling-washington-open-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Jul 2026 06:44:41 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Zheng Qinwen faces an uphill battle to reach the main draw of the US Open after losing in the quarter-finals of the Athens Open on Friday. The Chinese tennis star threw away solid leads in both sets before losing 6-4, 6-4 to Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic. Zheng now faces the real possibility that she will have to go through the qualifiers for the final grand slam of the season due to her ranking not meeting the threshold for the main draw. With the next women’s professional rankings... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3361032/zheng-qinwen-faces-uphill-battle-make-us-open-main-draw-after-quarter-final-loss-athens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3361032/zheng-qinwen-faces-uphill-battle-make-us-open-main-draw-after-quarter-final-loss-athens?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 18 Jul 2026 05:07:03 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang Zheng Qinwen fired 13 aces to ease into the quarter-finals of the Athens Open, reaching her first tour-level quarter-final in a year, while expressing her desire to become a more well-rounded player. The Paris Olympics champion cruised past Australia’s Elena Micic 6-4, 6-1 in the second round of the WTA 250 event in the early hours of Thursday, lifting her up the WTA rankings to No 121. Zheng, who needs to win the tournament in Greece to qualify for the main draw of the coming US Open, will face... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3360823/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-claims-first-wta-tour-quarter-final-spot-year-athens-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3360823/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-claims-first-wta-tour-quarter-final-spot-year-athens-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:05 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen secured an upset over No 6 seed Jessica Bouzas Maneiro of Spain in straight sets at the Athens Open on Monday. Currently ranked No 135 in the world, a free fall of 131 places from her career-high world No 4 spot last June, Zheng dispatched the 23-year-old in the first round, but it was not smooth sailing. In her first hard court appearance of the season, Paris Olympic champion Zheng almost lost a 3-0 lead in the opening set, allowing the world No 62 Bouzas... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3360469/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-pulls-first-round-upset-athens-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3360469/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-pulls-first-round-upset-athens-open?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:39:54 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen struggled again to make any kind of impact in a tournament after she was knocked out of the first round of Wimbledon for the fourth straight year. Facing Katerina Siniakova in the opening round for the third time in four years, Zheng was looking to bounce back from a 3-1 career deficit, which included a pair of first-round losses at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2025, against the world No 36 Czech on Monday. Zheng lost 6-4, 6-4 in just under two hours and is also... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358857/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-suffers-first-round-wimbledon-exit-fourth-straight-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358857/chinese-star-zheng-qinwen-suffers-first-round-wimbledon-exit-fourth-straight-year?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 30 Jun 2026 07:00:10 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Wu Yibing faces Novak Djokovic for the first time in his professional career in the first round of the men’s singles at Wimbledon on Monday, and said it was a “dream come true”. In what will be only his second appearance at the grass court grand slam, Wu will play against his idol, a seven-time champion in London, and said he “could not believe it” when the draw was made. The encounter will also mark just the second time Wu has played on the centre court at a major... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358736/wimbledon-djokovic-clash-dream-come-true-wu-zheng-hoping-its-third-time-lucky?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358736/wimbledon-djokovic-clash-dream-come-true-wu-zheng-hoping-its-third-time-lucky?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 29 Jun 2026 11:00:06 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen enters next week’s Wimbledon championships with a losing record on grass this season after throwing away her lead to exit the Bad Homburg Open on Wednesday. But while Olympic champion Zheng lost 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 to Clara Tauson of Denmark in the second round, she left Germany with 60 ranking points, lifting her to No 138 in the WTA rankings – an improvement of 15 places. Meanwhile, compatriot Wang Xinyu advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA 500 event in Germany... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358343/chinese-tennis-fans-look-beyond-wimbledon-zheng-qinwen-after-loss-warm-event?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3358343/chinese-tennis-fans-look-beyond-wimbledon-zheng-qinwen-after-loss-warm-event?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Jun 2026 09:37:05 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen said she had to “calm down, take it slow and start from scratch again” amid a temporary change in her back-room staff as she made a winning start at the Nottingham Open on Monday. The former world No 4, who had suffered three opening-round defeats in seven tournaments this year, beat sixth seed Maria Sakkari of Greece 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 in the first round as she builds up to Wimbledon later this month. She will next face the winner of the match between Australia’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3357171/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-says-she-needs-start-scratch-regain-form?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3357171/chinese-tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-says-she-needs-start-scratch-regain-form?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Jun 2026 11:00:05 +0000 Mike Chan Mike Chan Chinese tennis fans have wondered whether it was time for Zheng Qinwen to retire and called on the Olympic champion to seek psychological help after she lost in the opening round of a tournament again on Monday. Two weeks after crashing out of the first round of the French Open on the clay of Roland Garros, Zheng was bounced out on the grass of Andy Murray Arena at The Queen’s Club in London. A semi-finalist at the same HSBC Championships a year ago, the former Chinese No 1 lost 6-4, 7-6 to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3356474/china-fans-ask-if-its-time-zheng-qinwen-retire-after-first-round-defeat-queens?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3356474/china-fans-ask-if-its-time-zheng-qinwen-retire-after-first-round-defeat-queens?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 09 Jun 2026 07:04:57 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Chinese tennis may have found its next Zheng Qinwen after teenager Sun Xinran finished runner-up in the girls’ singles at the French Open Juniors on Saturday. The 15-year-old lost to Russian Alisa Oktiabreva, who is two years her senior, in a lopsided defeat of 6–2, 6–1, which lasted just 65 minutes on clay. However, Sun’s extended run in Paris, where she was the second seed, lifted her to the top of the junior girls’ world rankings. Having only dropped one set on her way to the final, Sun... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3356238/meet-chinas-next-zheng-qinwen-teen-sun-already-world-no-1-french-open-juniors-finalist?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3356238/meet-chinas-next-zheng-qinwen-teen-sun-already-world-no-1-french-open-juniors-finalist?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 07 Jun 2026 05:02:26 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Hong Kong interest in the French Open is over after Eudice Chong and partner Veronika Erjavec crashed out in the third round of the women’s doubles on Monday. Having come through a pair of three-set encounters to book a date with Shuko Aoyama and Liang En-shuo, Chong and Slovenian Erjavec were beaten 6-1, 6-3 by the Japan-Chinese Taipei duo. Mainland China, however, still has a player left in the women’s doubles, after Guo Hanyu partnered France’s Kristina Mladenovic to beat third-seeded pair... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3355595/hong-kong-french-open-interest-over-after-eudice-chong-defeat-womens-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3355595/hong-kong-french-open-interest-over-after-eudice-chong-defeat-womens-doubles?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Jun 2026 13:18:50 +0000 SCMP Sport SCMP Sport Zheng Qinwen could face a tough draw at the French Open this weekend, after crashing out of the top 50 for the first time in almost four years. A drop of 21 spots in the latest rankings, which were released on Monday, has sent Zheng to 53rd in the world, meaning she will be unseeded for the year’s second grand slam. The Olympic gold medallist, who won at Roland Garros during the 2024 Games in Paris, could now face the likes of 2025 runner-up Aryna Sabalenka or four-time winner Iga Swiatek in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3354054/chinas-zheng-qinwen-crashes-out-womens-top-50-faces-tough-french-open-singles-draw?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3354054/chinas-zheng-qinwen-crashes-out-womens-top-50-faces-tough-french-open-singles-draw?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 08:00:05 +0000 Tribune News Service,Associated Press Tribune News Service,Associated Press Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final on Saturday, winning 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 to become the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” since Iga Swiatek in 2022. The world No 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and followed up her win at Indian Wells with also taking Miami in the same season. Sabalenka took home the US$1.15 million winner’s cheque and became the fifth woman to complete the Sunshine... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3348276/miami-open-aryna-sabalenka-seals-sunshine-double-win-over-local-favourite-coco-gauff?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3348276/miami-open-aryna-sabalenka-seals-sunshine-double-win-over-local-favourite-coco-gauff?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 04:41:02 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina on Wednesday booked a blockbuster semi-final at the Miami Open in a rerun of their Melbourne grand slam decider. Defending champion Sabalenka held off big-hitting 45th-ranked American Hailey Baptiste 6-4, 6-4. World No 2 Rybakina beat fifth-seeded American Jessica Pegula – runner-up to Sabalenka last year – 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. They will return on Thursday at Hard Rock Stadium – home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins – to fight for a place in the final. Rybakina... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347970/tennis-top-2-women-aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-clash-again-miami-open-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347970/tennis-top-2-women-aryna-sabalenka-elena-rybakina-clash-again-miami-open-semi-final?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Mar 2026 08:30:16 +0000 Agence France-Presse,dpa Agence France-Presse,dpa Jannik Sinner set a record for consecutive sets won at ATP Masters 1000 events as the Italian and Aryna Sabalenka kept their “Sunshine Double” dreams alive with emphatic victories at the ATP/WTA Miami Open on Monday. Sinner and Sabalenka are bidding to join an elite band of players who have won Indian Wells and the Miami Open back to back, and arrived in Florida brimming with confidence after their respective victories in the California desert earlier this month. World No 2 Sinner beat French... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347687/miami-open-sunshine-double-dreams-alive-sinner-breaks-record-sabalenka-beats-zheng?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Mar 2026 07:05:13 +0000 Reuters Reuters Former world ⁠No 1 Naomi ⁠Osaka said she is considering ⁠how best to balance her tennis schedule with motherhood after a 7-5 6-4 loss to Australia’s Talia Gibson in her opening match on Saturday at the Miami Open. Osaka returned to the tour in ‌2024 after a 15-month break following the birth of her daughter and reached the US Open semi-finals last year. She withdrew ahead of her scheduled third-round match at the Australian Open in January due to an abdominal injury. The four-time grand slam... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347476/naomi-osaka-considering-how-balance-tennis-motherhood-ahead-clay-court-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3347476/naomi-osaka-considering-how-balance-tennis-motherhood-ahead-clay-court-season?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China tennis star Zheng Qinwen has named former world No 8 Marcos Baghdatis as her new coach and dismissed talk of a split with former trainer Pere Riba, saying the Spaniard was just taking a break. Zheng had sparked rumours of a split with Riba after unfollowing her long-time coach on social media and posting the Nietzsche quote, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how”, on a revamped profile. But speaking on Wednesday ahead of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, she said the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3345533/zheng-qinwen-adds-marcos-baghdatis-coaching-line-dismisses-talk-riba-split?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3345533/zheng-qinwen-adds-marcos-baghdatis-coaching-line-dismisses-talk-riba-split?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Mar 2026 07:30:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters A WTA tournament in Texas has unveiled ⁠a “rage room” for ⁠players to take out ⁠their frustrations away from the cameras after Coco Gauff’s racquet-smashing outburst at the Australian Open last month sparked debate about privacy at tournaments. Shortly after Gauff’s 59-minute quarter-final loss ‌to Elina Svitolina at Melbourne Park, the American went to the match call area and repeatedly smashed her racquet on the ground, unaware that it was being broadcast to viewers around the world. Novak... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3344711/tennis-stars-can-blow-steam-rage-room-austin-event-shang-tries-it-out-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3344711/tennis-stars-can-blow-steam-rage-room-austin-event-shang-tries-it-out-dubai?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 26 Feb 2026 07:16:35 +0000 Ada Li Ada Li Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen has unfollowed her coach Pere Riba on social media, reigniting speculation that one of tennis’s most closely watched partnerships could be about to change again. Chinese fans quickly spotted that Riba no longer appeared among the accounts Zheng follows on Instagram, and the 23-year-old also added a quote from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche – “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how” – to her profile. Fresh doubts over the long-term future of the coaching... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3344492/tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-sparks-split-speculation-after-unfollowing-coach-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3344492/tennis-star-zheng-qinwen-sparks-split-speculation-after-unfollowing-coach-social-media?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:00:18 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara With her magnetic personality, easy smile and nerveless shot-making, Joanna Garland earned a horde of new admirers on her run to the final of this month’s novelty One Point Slam in Australia. The women’s world No 117, who was born in England to Taiwanese parents, Garland is “incredibly grateful” she had the opportunity to compete in the sudden-death competition, ahead of the Australian Open. However, her victims included Alexander Zverev and Nick Kyrgios, and the 24-year-old is “sure many good... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3341779/uk-family-struggles-mean-taiwans-garland-not-over-losing-au1-million-aussie-amateur?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3341779/uk-family-struggles-mean-taiwans-garland-not-over-losing-au1-million-aussie-amateur?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 31 Jan 2026 00:00:08 +0000 Reuters Reuters Elina Svitolina was tested by China’s Wang Xinyu in the Auckland Open final on Sunday ‌but came through 6-3, 7-6 to kick off her ‍new season with her 19th WTA title. The 31-year-old baseliner was not quite firing on all cylinders as she continued her preparations for the Australian Open after a ⁠lengthy break, but had enough quality and experience to get past her aggressive 24-year-old opponent. “It feels amazing to win another title especially after a not-great end to last season,” said... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3339483/chinas-wang-xinyu-lets-world-no-13-elina-svitolina-hook-auckland-wta-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3339483/chinas-wang-xinyu-lets-world-no-13-elina-svitolina-hook-auckland-wta-final?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 11 Jan 2026 07:15:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Women’s world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka wants a rematch of her “Battle of the Sexes” showdown with Nick Kyrgios so she can get revenge. Australia’s Kyrgios beat the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3 in a highly publicised showdown in Dubai last Sunday, with modified rules that divided fans. Sabalenka’s side of the court was reduced in size by nine percent in an attempt to restrict Kyrgios’ power and speed advantage, while each player only received one serve. “I think I would definitely do it again,” she said on... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3338428/sabalenka-wants-battle-sexes-rematch-and-revenge-rule-change?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3338428/sabalenka-wants-battle-sexes-rematch-and-revenge-rule-change?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 01 Jan 2026 15:59:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios will meet in the “Battle of the Sexes” on Sunday, but the only similarity between the Dubai exhibition and the historic 1973 match is the name, Billie Jean King has said. Women’s world No 1 Sabalenka, a four-time grand slam champion, takes on injury-prone Australian Kyrgios in a highly publicised showdown that has divided tennis fans. The title “Battle of the Sexes” harked back to the meeting between King and Bobby Riggs in September 1973, in what was a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337869/battle-sexes-tennis-match-between-aryna-sabalenka-nick-kyrgios-dividing-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337869/battle-sexes-tennis-match-between-aryna-sabalenka-nick-kyrgios-dividing-opinion?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 27 Dec 2025 06:30:29 +0000 Reuters Reuters Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner turned 2025 into a gripping tug of war for tennis supremacy by carving up the grand slams for a second straight year, while the women’s game showcased depth and drama with four different major champions. Sinner’s dominant victory over Alexander Zverev at the start of the season helped him retain his Australian Open title and become the first Italian to capture three majors – moving past Nicola Pietrangeli, who won back-to-back French Opens in 1959-60. What... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337729/year-tennis-sincaraz-rivalry-splits-mens-grand-slams-while-4-share-womens-titles?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 26 Dec 2025 06:00:16 +0000 Stephy Zhang Stephy Zhang China’s Zheng Qinwen will resume her comeback at an exhibition event with a difference on the eve of next month’s Australian Open: a tournament consisting of one-point matches. Zheng, who had surgery on a troublesome right elbow in July and has barely played since, will join the likes of Naomi Osaka, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner in the AO 1 Point Slam at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena. Ten amateur players will try their luck against 22 professionals in knockout rounds, with “rock, paper,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337646/zheng-qinwen-join-osaka-alcaraz-1-point-slam-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3337646/zheng-qinwen-join-osaka-alcaraz-1-point-slam-australian-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 24 Dec 2025 10:41:11 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Billionaire investor Marc Lasry believes professional tennis is “ripe for disruption”, and revealed he had discussed ideas for innovation with the sport’s officials. Speaking on the sidelines of the South China Morning Post’s Family Business Summit 2025 on Friday, Lasry said he thought leading figures in the game were open to change. “I have talked to the folks there, and we are trying to do a couple of things,” he told the Post at the Rosewood Hong Kong hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui, before taking... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/article/3331974/billionaire-investor-marc-lasry-sees-huge-opportunity-innovation-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/article/3331974/billionaire-investor-marc-lasry-sees-huge-opportunity-innovation-tennis?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Nov 2025 11:35:07 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Victoria Mboko won the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Sunday, beating Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in a thrilling final that needed three sets and almost three hours to decide the winner. Despite losing a 20-point tiebreak in a tight second set, the Canadian claimed the second title of her season at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium, downing Bucsa in a match where both players pushed each other to the absolute limit on centre court. The title could have gone to either player, as they shared 25 break... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3331216/hong-kong-tennis-open-china-pair-jiang-xinyu-wang-yafan-take-doubles-crown?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3331216/hong-kong-tennis-open-china-pair-jiang-xinyu-wang-yafan-take-doubles-crown?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 02 Nov 2025 07:14:38 +0000 Tom Bell Tom Bell Cristina Bucsa had it all her own way while Victoria Mboko was forced to fight a friend for supremacy as each booked a place in the final of the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Saturday. Mboko, 19, looked to be heading out of the tournament when under assault from a laser-focused Leylah Fernandez in an all-Canadian encounter at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium. Flying at a set and 2-1 up in a high-quality second semi-final, Fernandez called for the physiotherapist before returning to the fray... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3331165/hong-kong-tennis-open-spains-bucsa-final-awaits-winner-fernandez-v-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3331165/hong-kong-tennis-open-spains-bucsa-final-awaits-winner-fernandez-v-mboko?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 01 Nov 2025 07:16:38 +0000 Paul McNamara Paul McNamara Maya Joint booked a Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open semi-final showdown with Cristina Bucsa after a mid-match “mental reset” helped her overcome surprise package Himeno Sakatsume in three sets on Friday. Victoria Mboko then joined her in the last four after her opponent, Anna Kalinskaya, withdrew because of illness when trailing 6-1, 3-1. She will play fellow Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who overcame Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-4 in the day’s final match. Russian Kalinskaya’s movement was inhibited... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3331025/prudential-hong-kong-open-thigh-injury-forces-top-seed-bencic-pull-out-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3331025/prudential-hong-kong-open-thigh-injury-forces-top-seed-bencic-pull-out-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 31 Oct 2025 05:44:57 +0000 Lars Hamer Lars Hamer Canada’s Victoria Mboko broke hundreds of Filipino fans’ hearts at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Thursday, as she battled back from a set down to knock out Alexandra Eala and progress to the quarter-finals. The world No 21’s victory came despite most of the crowd inside Victoria Park Tennis Stadium roaring on the young Philippine player in an epic second-round match that lasted two hours and 27 minutes. The tie started at full throttle, with Eala winning three games in a row in the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3330906/hong-kong-tennis-open-last-chinese-players-shown-door-top-seed-bencic-progresses?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/china/article/3330906/hong-kong-tennis-open-last-chinese-players-shown-door-top-seed-bencic-progresses?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 09:29:44 +0000 Owen Goulding Owen Goulding Maya Joint has one eye on a seeded berth at the Australian Open as she looks to continue her march through the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open on Friday. After being forced to dig in to defeat Anastasija Sevastova in a three-setter in which she was a set and a break down before a rain delay on Monday, Joint had a much smoother time against Viktoria Morvayova on Wednesday, progressing in straight sets. The 19-year-old Australian, who came to Hong Kong ranked 32nd in the world, needs to at least... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/sport/tennis/article/3330870/hong-kong-tennis-open-maya-joint-eyes-another-title-and-australian-grand-slam-seeding?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 06:47:06 +0000