CHENGDU, August 12, 2024 (Press Release)
The Chengdu Open is set to thrill once again as it makes it return to the Sichuan International Tennis Center from 17-24 September 2024. This popular event is celebrating the sixth edition with an enhanced prize fund of $1,269,245, making it the richest 250 level tournament in China.
As in previous years, the Chengdu Open will bring together many of the world’s best players, local Chinese stars, as well as iconic names from the tennis world.
“Our aim with the Chengdu Open is to provide fans with entertainment and an enjoyable, memorable experience,” Tournament Director Luiz Carvalho from IMG said. “Once again, the 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw will gather a host of international and Chinese tennis stars, with more to be announced in the coming weeks.
“I am delighted to confirm that World No.7, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, will be joining us in Chengdu for the first time. He has enjoyed great success in China over the last couple of years and has proved very popular with the home fans.
“With Italian tennis excelling on the global stage, we are excited to welcome back 2024 Wimbledon semifinalist, Lorenzo Musetti, who featured in the semifinals here last year.
“When it comes to flamboyance on a tennis court, few can compare to France’s Gael Monfils, and we are pleased to confirm his return to Chengdu for the first time since 2018.
“Chinese star, Shang Juncheng, one of the most exciting young players in world tennis, has also confirmed he will be joining us at the Sichuan International Tennis Center. His remarkable results so far this year have taken him well inside the world’s top 75 and he will no doubt be a fan favourite.”
🎾 This is Play Time!
🎉 The #ChengduOpen is back and bigger than ever! From September 17-24, 2024, catch top tennis stars like Hubert Hurkacz, Lorenzo Musetti, Gael Monfils, and China’s rising star Shang Juncheng in action. pic.twitter.com/hcQOBtND80— Chengdu Open (@ChengduOpen) August 12, 2024
Hurkacz is currently ranked seventh in the world and has eight career titles, including two Masters 1000s. This year, the 27-year-old won the title in Estoril, Portugal, reached the final in Halle, and took Poland to the United Cup final. He also made the semifinals in Marseille and reached four quarterfinals, highlighted by a run at the Australian Open.
Musetti is enjoying a standout season and is currently ranked 18th in the world. The new father was a finalist at The Queen’s Club, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon and Stuttgart, and was a quarterfinalist at Adelaide. Most recently, Musetti won Italy’s first Olympic tennis medal in 100 years, defeating Monfils, Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime en route to his bronze medal triumph.
The always entertaining Monfils may be regarded as one of tennis’ elder statesmen, but the 37-year-old, who owns 12 career titles, is certainly still competing at the top level. He has already made three semifinals so far in 2024 – at Mallorca, Spain and Doha.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Shang Juncheng, or Jerry as he is called on the international tennis tour, is likely to be the youngest player in the singles draw. The lefthander recently made the semifinals in Atlanta and did the same in Hong Kong earlier in the year, upsetting Frances Tiafoe en route. He also made the quarterfinals on grass at Eastbourne, while his recent run into the last four at Atlanta in July propelled him to a career best ranking of No. 73.
As part of the Chengdu Open’s vibrant community engagement program, the event will organise exciting interactive activities for spectators. These include inviting families to experience live matches together, recruiting young fans as ‘Little Ball Kids’ to escort tennis stars onto the court, and offering a range of activities where the public can interact with and meet their favourite tennis stars.
