China Open

History of the China Open Tennis Tournament

1993–2003: The early years of the men’s China Open

The history of the China Open Tennis tournament began in 1993, when the men’s event was established in Beijing. Over time, it developed into one of China’s most significant professional tennis competitions, helping introduce international tennis stars to local audiences and strengthening the country’s presence on the global sporting calendar.

The tournament’s early years laid the foundations for its eventual international reputation. Professional tennis was becoming increasingly global, with tours expanding their reach and players competing in more countries. Establishing a major event in Beijing gave Chinese spectators greater access to international tennis and created opportunities for the sport to grow within the country.

Although the modern China Open is best known as a combined men’s and women’s tournament, its development involved several stages. The men’s competition began in 1993, while the women’s event was introduced in 2004. These separate starting points are important when examining the tournament’s history because they explain how the China Open evolved into the major international event familiar to tennis fans today. The ATP Tour’s official retrospective, published in September 2024, marked two decades of the modern Beijing event and reviewed its notable champions.

2004: A landmark year for men’s and women’s tennis

In 2004, the China Open entered a new era. The women’s tournament joined the WTA Tour calendar, and the men’s event became part of the ATP Tour’s international competition schedule. This made 2004 a particularly significant year in the history of China Open Tennis, as Beijing became the home of a combined professional tournament featuring both men’s and women’s events.

Russian player Marat Safin won the inaugural ATP men’s singles title in Beijing in 2004. Safin was already an established star, having won the US Open in 2000. His victory gave the men’s tournament an impressive first champion and helped establish its competitive credentials.

The women’s inaugural China Open in 2004 also featured an impressive field. Serena Williams won the singles title, adding another achievement to a career that would become one of the most successful in tennis history. Williams was already a multiple Grand Slam champion, making her victory a significant moment for the new women’s event.

The two champions represented the level of talent the tournament aimed to attract. Their victories also established an early tradition of elite international competition in Beijing, helping the China Open build its reputation among players and fans.

2005–2008: Building an international reputation

During the following years, the China Open continued to attract internationally recognised players. The women’s singles champions included Maria Kirilenko in 2005, Svetlana Kuznetsova in 2006, Ágnes Szávay in 2007 and Jelena Janković in 2008. These victories reflected the growing depth of women’s professional tennis and the tournament’s continuing role in the WTA calendar.

The men’s competition also featured prominent names, including Rafael Nadal, who won the Beijing title in 2005, and other leading players who competed for the trophy during the tournament’s early development. Such appearances helped the China Open gain international visibility and gave local spectators opportunities to see some of the game’s leading competitors.

The tournament’s importance was not limited to its winners. Regular appearances by high-ranking players increased its profile, while the presence of both men’s and women’s events gave Beijing a stronger position as a destination for professional tennis. Each edition added another chapter to the tournament’s growing history.

2009: A new home at the China National Tennis Center

A major development occurred in 2009, when the China Open moved to the China National Tennis Center in Beijing. The venue became a lasting part of the tournament’s identity and provided facilities designed to accommodate large crowds and high-level international competition.

One of its most recognisable features is Diamond Court, a major stadium with a reported capacity of approximately 15,000 spectators. The venue has helped establish a strong setting for headline matches, allowing fans to watch leading ATP and WTA players in a purpose-built tennis environment.

The 2009 women’s singles title was won by Svetlana Kuznetsova, while the tournament continued to build its profile as an important stop on the international tennis circuit. The move to the China National Tennis Center represented more than a change of address: it supported the event’s long-term development and strengthened Beijing’s ability to stage major tennis competitions.

2010–2014: Champions from tennis’s elite

The period from 2010 to 2014 featured a series of high-profile women’s champions. Caroline Wozniacki won in 2010, followed by Agnieszka Radwańska in 2011. Victoria Azarenka claimed the title in 2012, before Serena Williams won again in 2013. Maria Sharapova became champion in 2014.

These champions represented different playing styles, from Wozniacki’s defensive consistency and Radwańska’s tactical creativity to Azarenka’s aggressive baseline tennis and Williams’s powerful all-court game. Their success demonstrated the tournament’s ability to attract leading players during an important part of the season.

On the men’s side, the China Open’s roll of honour also featured major names. Novak Djokovic won the Beijing singles title several times during his career, while Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray also added their names to the list of champions. Their achievements helped reinforce the event’s standing as a prestigious ATP competition.

2015–2019: A growing presence in world tennis

The women’s champions during this period included Garbiñe Muguruza in 2015, Agnieszka Radwańska in 2016, Caroline Garcia in 2017, Caroline Wozniacki in 2018 and Naomi Osaka in 2019. Osaka’s victory was particularly notable because she had recently established herself as one of the leading players of her generation, following her Grand Slam successes.

In the men’s competition, Andy Murray won the China Open in 2016, while Rafael Nadal claimed the title in 2017 and 2018. Dominic Thiem won the men’s singles championship in 2019. These results underline the tournament’s continued ability to attract established champions and players competing at the highest level.

By the end of the 2010s, the China Open had become a recognised part of the autumn tennis calendar. Its outdoor hard courts, international player fields and position in Beijing made it an important event for following the professional season beyond the four Grand Slam tournaments.

2020–2022: Disruption and the return of international tennis

The COVID-19 pandemic created a major interruption to international sport. The China Open did not take place in 2020, 2021 or 2022, reflecting the wider disruption affecting professional tennis in China during this period.

The absence of the tournament was significant because Beijing had become an established stop on the ATP and WTA calendars. Players, spectators and organisers had to wait for conditions to allow the event to return, while the international tennis schedule adjusted to the effects of the pandemic.

The gap also highlighted the tournament’s importance to the Asian tennis swing. Its return would restore a major competition to the region and give fans another opportunity to watch elite men’s and women’s tennis in Beijing.

2023–2024: The China Open returns

The China Open returned in 2023, bringing professional tennis back to Beijing after a three-year absence. On the women’s side, Iga Świątek won the singles title, adding another major achievement to her rapidly developing career. The return marked an important step in restoring the tournament’s position within the international tennis calendar.

In 2024, the event celebrated the twentieth anniversary of its modern combined format. Coco Gauff won the women’s singles title, while Jannik Sinner claimed the men’s championship. Sinner’s victory was particularly notable because he had already established himself among the leading players in men’s tennis, and his Beijing triumph added to an outstanding season.

The 2024 edition demonstrated how far the China Open had developed since the early 1990s. What began as a men’s tournament had grown into a major international event featuring leading competitors from both professional tours.

2025–2026: A modern tournament with global appeal

In 2025, the China Open continued its role as a major event in Beijing. The women’s singles title was won by Amanda Anisimova, while the men’s singles championship was claimed by Jannik Sinner. The tournament also formed part of a broader programme of tennis in Beijing, including junior competition, highlighting opportunities for players at different stages of their careers.

In 2026, the women’s China Open is scheduled from 30 September to 11 October as a WTA 1000 event on outdoor hard courts. The tournament’s format includes a 96-player singles draw and a 32-team doubles draw, offering substantial ranking points and a competitive field. For the latest men’s event dates, draw information and results, fans should consult the official ATP Tour tournament page, as the ATP and WTA schedules can differ.

From its establishment in 1993 to its modern position on the international tennis calendar, the China Open has experienced expansion, famous champions, a major venue move and a pandemic-related interruption. Its history reflects the growth of professional tennis in China and Beijing’s development as an important destination for elite competition. With established stars, emerging talent and a long record of memorable champions, the China Open remains an important tournament for anyone following international tennis.