WTA Wuhan Open
The Wuhan Open returns on 12 October 2026, the biggest stop of the Asian swing and a WTA 1000 that has quietly built one of the best honour rolls in the game. It is played on outdoor hard courts at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre, with 56 players in the singles draw and 1,000 ranking points to the champion.
Key Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Starts | 12 October 2026 |
| Venue | Optics Valley International Tennis Centre, Wuhan |
| Surface | Outdoor hard |
| Category | WTA 1000 |
| Draw | 56 singles, 28 doubles |
| Defending champion | Coco Gauff |
The WTA confirms the full order of play nearer the event and we will add the schedule here once it lands.
The Sabalenka Record
Aryna Sabalenka has a claim on this tournament that no one else can match. She won it in 2018, in 2019, and again in 2024, three consecutive editions, because the event was absent from the calendar between 2020 and 2023. Counting from her debut she went 20 matches unbeaten in Wuhan, a run that only ended when Jessica Pegula beat her in the 2025 semi-finals.
Gauff Defends
Coco Gauff won the 2025 title and returns as defending champion. The conditions in Wuhan tend to be humid and slow-ish for a hard court, which rewards players who can construct rallies rather than simply out-hit the room, and that suits her.
Why It Matters
Wuhan sits late enough in the season to shape the year-end picture, with 1,000 points on offer at a point when the qualification races are tightening. For players outside the top eight it is one of the last realistic chances to make up ground.
How to Watch in the UK
Sky Sports Tennis carries WTA 1000 events in the UK, with streaming through NOW, and Bet365 streams to eligible account holders. The time difference is the catch: Wuhan is seven hours ahead of the UK, so play generally starts in the small hours and the late matches land in the UK morning. Our full how to watch tennis guide has the detail.
FAQ
Wuhan Open 2026 FAQs
When is the Wuhan Open 2026?
It begins on 12 October 2026 at the Optics Valley International Tennis Centre in Wuhan. The WTA confirms the full schedule closer to the event.
Who is the defending champion?
Coco Gauff, who won the 2025 title by ending Aryna Sabalenka’s long unbeaten run at the tournament.
What ranking points does the winner get?
One thousand, the standard award for a WTA 1000 event.
How can I watch the Wuhan Open in the UK?
Sky Sports Tennis carries WTA 1000 events with streaming via NOW, and Bet365 streams to eligible account holders. Wuhan is seven hours ahead of the UK. 18+, please gamble responsibly.
More Coverage
See our Wuhan Open betting tips for the outright markets. Full coverage sits on our Wuhan Open hub, every event we follow is in the tournaments index, and the dates are in the 2026 tennis calendar.