Star-Studded Lineup at the 2025 Ningbo Open Promises World-Class Tennis Spectacle
The city of Ningbo in East China’s Zhejiang province is poised to host a world-class tennis spectacle, with the 2025 Ningbo Open attracting a stellar lineup of top-ranked players from around the globe. Running from October 11 to 19 at the newly upgraded Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center, the WTA 500 tournament promises an electrifying atmosphere for fans and some of the best-ever competition on Chinese soil.
This year’s singles main draw is a who’s-who of women’s tennis, featuring 16 of the world’s top 20 players. The event is a key stop on the Asian hard-court swing and a crucial part of the “China Season” of tennis, which aims to promote professional tennis and strengthen the country’s ties to the global circuit. The upgraded facilities, including a retractable roof and a new 1,200-seat grandstand, are set to provide a state-of-the-art stage for the action.
The home crowd will have plenty to cheer for with local stars Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu headlining the field. Zheng, the reigning Paris Olympic women’s singles champion and a recent semifinalist at the China Open, will be looking to capitalize on her home-court advantage. Her 2024 season was a landmark year, with a career-high ranking of World No. 4 and a run to the Australian Open final. Wang, a rising star who recently finished runner-up at the WTA 500 Berlin event, will also be a major draw for Chinese fans.
The tournament is further bolstered by the presence of four Grand Slam champions. Wimbledon 2022 winner Elena Rybakina will bring her powerful serve and forehand to the courts. She is joined by Wimbledon 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova and US Open 2021 winner Emma Raducanu, both of whom have been granted wildcards. The field also includes Barbora Krejcikova, a former French Open and Wimbledon titleholder. Raducanu, in particular, will be seeking to find her form in China after returning from injury.
Other top contenders to watch include a trio of American stars. Amanda Anisimova, the top seed, comes into Ningbo in red-hot form after a sensational 2025 season that saw her reach two consecutive Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open. She will be joined by her compatriots Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro. The draw also features the explosive game of Mirra Andreeva, the young Russian who was a finalist at this event last year and has since become a dominant force on the tour.
Fans are not just limited to watching the matches. Organizers are creating a festive atmosphere with the transformed “Tennis Life Festival,” which will include food stalls, outdoor camping, and creative markets. This immersive experience, combined with the world-class tennis on display, highlights the tournament’s commitment to both promoting the sport and providing a memorable experience for spectators. With so many top players vying for the title and a vibrant off-court experience, the 2025 Ningbo Open is set to be a must-watch event on the tennis calendar.
