British sensation Emma Raducanu, Sofia Kenin set to dazzle at Singapore Tennis Open

Emma Raducanu (left) and Sofia Kenin were among a list of players unveiled by the Kallang Alive Sport Management. PHOTOS: AFP

SINGAPORE – Almost three years after a brief sojourn in Singapore, 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu will get to dig into chilli crab again when she returns for the Singapore Tennis Open 2025 from Jan 27 to Feb 2.

The British sensation was among a list of players unveiled on Jan 3 by the Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM), which runs the Singapore Sports Hub.

In February 2022, the then 19-year-old had promised to return after a short stint training at the Tanglin Club and enjoying the local sights and cuisine.

Also competing at the Kallang Tennis Hub are Russian world No. 14 Anna Kalinskaya and 2020 Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin of the United States.

Grand Slam doubles champions Elise Mertens (Belgium) and Wang Xinyu (China), who are ranked No. 34 and 37 in the women’s singles, will join them at the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250 event.

A doubles champion at Wimbledon and the US Open, Mertens added a second Australian Open trophy in 2024 with Hsieh Su-wei, while Wang won the French Open in 2023, also with Hsieh.

Kalinskaya said: “I’m excited to play in the first year of the Singapore Tennis Open, and it will also be my first time in Singapore.

“I’ve heard amazing things about the energy of the fans and how multicultural the city is.

“I am looking forward to competing at the new Kallang Tennis Hub and hope that I will have a great tournament there.”

Mertens added: “I have heard so much about Singapore and the fans there, so it is going to be a great first experience for me at the Singapore Tennis Open...

“It is always interesting to play in the opening edition of a tournament and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

Co-tournament director Laura Ceccarelli said: “The player field is looking good for the tournament, and I believe we are going to see some great matches in both singles and doubles.

“We still have the qualifications coming up, so we will see how the main draw shapes up, but it will be a good mix of experience and also fresh talent. It’s going to be great for the fans.”

The qualifying rounds will be held on Jan 25 and 26, with four additional wild cards making up the 32-player field.

The WTA 250 event marks the return of international tennis action to Singapore. It last hosted a top women’s tennis tournament in 2018, when stars like Naomi Osaka, Caroline Wozniacki and eventual winner Elina Svitolina competed at the WTA Finals at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

In 2021, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP), the men’s main tour, also held an ATP 250 Singapore Open at the OCBC Arena.

Yazed Osman, co-tournament director and group head, events & placemaking and place management of KASM, said: “This will be the first international tour-level event at the Kallang Tennis Hub, and the tournament will be over the Lunar New Year, so there will be a lot to celebrate.

“We look forward to the fans and community joining us to enjoy some fantastic tennis over the week.”

Prices start at $18 for a day ticket and up to $286 for a three-day pass. Fans can purchase tickets to the Singapore Tennis Open at www.sportshub.com.sg/events/singapore-tennis-open

Melvyn Teoh is a sports journalist at The Straits Times.

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