Tennis: Wuhan Open set to return for the first time since 2019

The Wuhan Open is back on the women'stennisschedule for the first time since 2019 after organisers announced it will be staged in the Chinese city in October, Xinhua News Agency reported on Wednesday. The 1000 tournament has not featured on the WTA circuit since COVID-19 was detected in the city, which became the location of the first lockdown of the pandemic in January 2020.

Wuhan, home to former Australian Open and French Open champion Li Na, saw the sport's popularity surge in the last two decades. Australian Open finalist Zheng Qinwen had also relocated there as a child for training.

"We are delighted to announce the return of the WTA 1000 event to Wuhan, and reignite the thrill of elitetenniscompetition in one of Asia's most vibrant cities," Jorge Salkeld, Senior Vice President of organisers OctagonTenniswas reported as saying by Xinhua news agency.

The tournament will be held from October 7 to 13 at the Optics Valley InternationalTennis Center in Wuhan.