Chennai, June 16, 2025 — In a major boost to Indian tennis and sports fans across the country, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has officially announced the return of the WTA Chennai Open to the 2025 Hologic Tour calendar.
Scheduled for the week of October 27, the WTA 250 event will be held at the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Chennai, played on outdoor hard courts. The tournament will feature a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles draw, making it the highest-level international women’s tennis event to be held in India this year.
The announcement was made during the WTA event in St. Petersburg, USA, and marks Chennai’s return to the WTA calendar after a three-year gap. The last edition in 2022 was a memorable one, with Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtová capturing the singles title and the Canadian-Brazilian pair Gabriela Dabrowski and Luisa Stefani lifting the doubles trophy.
A Milestone for Indian Tennis
Vijay Amritraj, President of the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), welcomed the development, calling it the culmination of persistent efforts to bring international women’s tennis back to Indian soil.
“Finally, our efforts to get a major international sporting event to Chennai have borne fruit,” Amritraj said. “Thanks to the strong support from the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), I am excited that the WTA 250 event is returning to the SDAT Tennis Stadium after three years.”
Amritraj emphasized the significance of the tournament not only as a showcase for international talent but also as an opportunity for local fans to engage with top-tier women’s tennis.
“The warmth of Chennai’s hospitality and the excitement of its fans will make this a welcoming and memorable destination for players. It’s also a fantastic platform for sponsors to associate with a global sporting spectacle.”
He further added that the TNTA, with its history of hosting international tournaments, will ensure world-class standards across all aspects of the event. The tournament will be broadcast on a major sports network, giving it visibility both in India and abroad.
Boost to Global and Local Momentum
The addition of the Chennai Open comes at a time when the WTA Tour is enjoying an exciting 2025 season. The first half of the year has already produced 20 different singles champions across WTA 250, 500, 1000, and Grand Slam events — highlighting the depth and competitiveness on the women’s circuit.
Just this past weekend, Tatjana Maria made history by winning the HSBC Championships at The Queen’s Club in London — marking the first WTA event at that venue in over 50 years. Interestingly, Maria, a mother of two and a seasoned campaigner, also participated in the 2022 edition of the Chennai Open, underlining the tournament’s role in attracting elite talent.
The return of the Chennai Open also coincides with a period of branding and engagement growth for the WTA. The launch of a new brand identity in March 2025 has helped propel fan interest, with social media followers growing by 24% year-on-year. The WTA’s TikTok presence and digital engagement across platforms have driven the tour’s total social following past 7.2 million.
An Opportunity for India
With no regular WTA event in India since 2022, the re-introduction of the Chennai Open fills a significant void in the Indian sporting calendar. For young Indian players, it represents a chance to compete on home soil against international stars, while for fans, it is a rare opportunity to witness world-class women’s tennis live.
Beyond the sport itself, events like the Chennai Open serve as powerful tools for encouraging participation, especially among young girls. The presence of global stars, intense competition, and live television coverage all contribute to promoting tennis as a career and passion across India.
As the countdown begins to October, Chennai gears up not only to welcome tennis back but to reaffirm its place on the international sporting map. With strong local support, experienced tournament management, and a buzzing fan base, the Chennai Open 2025 promises to be more than just a sporting event — it will be a celebration of resilience, return, and rising potential.