Andrey Rublev, Marin Cilic added to line-up for return of Hong Kong Tennis Open as organisers hint future lies at new venue
- Victoria Park ‘no longer suitable for modern professional tennis’, city’s tennis chief Philip Mok says, hinting a move to Kai Tak Sports Park could appeal
- Karen Khachanov and Frances Tiafoe also join Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong in the draw as the tournament comes back after 21-year absence
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World No 5 Andrey Rublev and former grand-slam event winner Marin Cilic have been added to the line-up for the long-awaited return of high-level men’s tennis to Hong Kong at the end of the month.
Joining them at the Hong Kong Tennis Open – back after a 21-year absence and running from December 31 to January 7 at Victoria Park – are Karen Khachanov and Frances Tiafoe, ranked No 15 and 16 in the world respectively.
But the city’s tennis chief Philip Mok Kwan-yat on Tuesday admitted bringing bigger and better events to Hong Kong may depend on finding a new venue away from Victoria Park.
“The number of seats is an ATP requirement if we wish to host better tournaments,” Mok said. “There are many other things – for example, the umpire room and the players’ lounge.
“Victoria Park was built 40 years ago, so it is no longer suitable for modern professional tennis. Perhaps we can move to Kai Tak Sports Park when it is completed.
“For now, I wouldn’t say it’s entirely impossible, but the chance [to host better tournaments] is lower.”
The names confirmed by organisers on Tuesday bolstered a draw featuring the previously announced trio of local rising star Coleman Wong Chak-lam, world No 41 Mackenzie McDonald and Chinese teen Shang Juncheng.
Set to play in his first ATP tour event in the main draw after receiving a wild card, Hong Kong’s leading player Wong, now ranked a career-high 252, said he felt increasingly confident of thriving in that company.
Since appearing in the Hong Kong International Tennis Challenge last December, the two-time junior doubles grand-slam champion has enjoyed a milestone victory over China’s world No 121 Wu Yibing at the Asian Games.
“I’ve never played at any ATP 250 event, so this is going to be a first for me and I am really excited,” the 19-year-old said. “I think my conditioning has improved recently, and people will be able to see a different me.
“It felt like I achieved a breakthrough [by beating Wu], which made me feel like I can reach the standard. From then on, I’ve been playing better.”
Russia’s Rublev is the highest-ranked player confirmed, with an Olympic gold medal to his name after triumphing alongside Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the mixed doubles in Tokyo two years ago.
The 26-year-old is a four-time US Open quarter-finalist after his latest appearance in September, but has never broken into the last four at a major tournament.
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Khachanov, also of Russia, this year reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open and French Open, and also owns an Olympic medal, having won singles silver in Tokyo.
Mok said seats were selling fast at HK Ticketing.
“All tickets in phase one – 50 per cent of the overall tickets – are gone,” he said. “I’d expect the remaining ones to be snapped up in the next day or two after the roster is announced.”
