The 2023 China Open winner will receive the biggest-ever prize money amount in WTA history outside an end-of-year event.
In the 2023 season, the China Open will transition into a WTA 1000-level event and it will take place in Beijing between September 30 and October 8. Under the new developments, the WTA combined prize money for competitors is $8 million, compared to the $3.6 million on offer for the ATP China Open participants.
But the eventual female winner of this year's China Open will receive $1.5 million in individual prize money, which is the largest amount available outside of the WTA Finals. Moreover, the men's singles winner will receive $650,000 in competition prize money from the event.
Both the women's and men's prize amounts at this year's China Open are the biggest ever compared to other international competitions at the same level. In addition, it is a rare event where the WTA amount surpasses the ATP prize money earnings.
2023 also marks the return of professional tennis to the Asian nation following a 16-month absence after the controversy surrounding Peng Shuai's disappearance in November 2021. Shuai went missing after she publically posted allegations of sexual assault against a high-ranking Chinese politician.
At present, the complete lineup for the WTA 1000 event and the men's ATP draw has not been finalised. Although, ATP world number two Carlos Alcaraz was confirmed recently as one of the high-profile men's players who would be competing in Beijing.
Before the China Open gets started in late September, the nation will host several lower-ranked WTA competitions. Among these are the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai, 500 Zhengzhou Open, 250 Ningbo Open, 250 Guangzhou Open, and 250 Jiangxi Open.
The last China Open was played in 2019 and Naomi Osaka lifted the title after she defeated former world number one Ashleigh Barty across three sets.
0 Comments