Bigger 'China Swing' brings net gains

With six Tour-level tournaments already on the schedule, China is hosting a total 11 WTA events this fall, with the 125-level drills serving up a launchpad for the country's ambitious newcomers to progress to the top-tier stage, such as the WTA 1000-level China Open and Wuhan Open.

Scheduled prudently to maximize playing and earning opportunities, the WTA 125 circuit, which has mushroomed to 50 legs this year, up from 24 in 2022, and offers a total prize pool of $6 million, has also provided a stepping stone for established players returning from injury and maternity leave as they transition back to the pro stage.

"This is the first WTA event to be held in Jiangsu province, and we hope to build a stage for all the up-and-coming players to launch the pursuit of their professional dreams," Helene He, WTA Asia-Pacific director of operations, said of the Suzhou event's purpose.

"We'd like to also develop it into a sports entertainment event during the National Day holiday that will benefit local tourism and cultural promotion."

Built on the picturesque shore of Yangcheng Lake, the Sungent tennis center hosts 11 courts, including nine featuring the same hard surface as the Australian Open and two covered by the same red clay used at the French Open, across an area of 8,788 square meters.

Four of the courts are equipped with all-weather retractable roofs to ensure uninterrupted training and matches if necessary, while a new four-star hotel, with breathtaking views of the lake and the tennis center, is within walking distance of the center court.