In its first edition as a WTA 500 level tournament, the 2024 Korea Open will assemble one of the most talented groups of players to headline its 20th anniversary.
The entry list for this tournament has been revealed, and it will feature eight of the world's Top 20 players, including three in the top six. This year's Korea Open will run from September 16th to 22nd as part of the traditional Asian swing.
This tournament has existed since 2004, when Maria Sharapova (who was the reigning Wimbledon champion at the time) won its inaugural edition. Two former World No. 1s have also won this tournament, including Venus Williams (2007) and Caroline Wozniacki (2015).
Although Williams and Woznaicki remain active on Tour, neither will participate in 2024. The Korea Open was suspended in 2020 because of coronavirus, although it was added to the calendar in 2021 after being downgraded to 125K for only one season before it was turned into a 250.
Last year, Jessica Pegula defeated China's Yuan Yue to secure her first title in her mother's country of birth. The American will return to Seoul for the third time but is not the outright favorite for the crown this year.
That is because World No. 1 Iga Swiatek and World No. 4 Elena Rybakina are set to make their debut appearance at the event (now classed as a WTA 500). The five-time Grand Slam champion has won one title in the Asian swing before (triumphing at the WTA 1000 in Beijing last year).
Rybakina, hoping to play with a clean bill of health next month, has captured three WTA 500 titles this year. If she is to add to her collection at the Korea Open, she must do so without her longtime coach, Stefano Vukov, who is no longer working with her.
The Russian trio of Daria Kasatkina, Liudmila Samsonova, and Diana Shnaider have each topped the podium at a WTA tournament this season. They will be determined to do so again here.
Marta Kostyuk, who is looking to achieve a Top-20 year-end ranking, will also travel to Seoul. Former champions Ekaterina Alexandrova and Karolina Pliskova have confirmed their participation.
There is so much depth in this year's field, making this the most anticipated Korea Open of all time. Yulia Putintseva, Katie Boulter, Anastasia Potapova, and Ajla Tomljanovic will also compete.
To show just how competitive the draw is, the cut-off entry is down to 44th, with Veronika Kudermetova being the last direct entrant. This means Magdalena Frech and Peyton Stearns are alternates despite being ranked in the Top 50.
Top players will be using this tournament as a warm-up for the two big events of the Asian swing, which will be in Beijing and Wuhan in late September and early October. This partially explains why the Korea Open was the most suitable for their preparation.
At least four players will receive main draw wild cards, and eight are expected to navigate the qualifying rounds. The initial entry list for the 2024 Korea Open can be seen below.
2024 Korea Open Seoul WTA Players' Entry List:
| Seed | Player | Entry Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iga Swiatek | 1 |
| 2 | Elena Rybakina | 4 |
| 3 | Jessica Pegula | 6 |
| 4 | Daria Kasatkina | 12 |
| 5 | Emma Navarro | 13 |
| 6 | Liudmila Samsonova | 16 |
| 7 | Diana Shnaider | 18 |
| 8 | Marta Kostyuk | 19 |
| Beatriz Haddad Maia | 23 | |
| Ekaterina Alexandrova | 30 | |
| Yulia Putintseva | 31 | |
| Katie Boulter | 32 | |
| Karolina Pliskova | 41 | |
| Anastasia Potapova | 43 | |
| Veronika Kudermetova | 44 | |
| Ajla Tomljanovic | (SR) |
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