After a notable hiatus, the WTA Chennai Open is set to return to the international tennis calendar from October 27 to November 2, 2025.
Hosted at its familiar venue the SDAT Tennis Stadium in Nungambakkam, Chennai the tournament will once again stand as a WTA 250 International event, reaffirming Chennai’s growing reputation as a vibrant destination for women’s professional tennis.
The 2025 edition brings back not only world-class competition but also the momentum of a tournament shaped by revival, resilience, and local passion. From its celebrated re-launch in 2022 to a two-year gap and now a confirmed comeback, the WTA Chennai Open embodies the spirit of Indian tennis: persistent, adaptive, and ambitious.
A quick look at 2025: What’s confirmed
According to the tournament fact sheet, the 2025 Chennai Open will unfold as follows:
- Venue: SDAT Tennis Stadium, Chennai, India
- Dates:
- Singles Qualifying: October 25 & 26, 2025
- Main Draw: October 27 – November 2, 2025
- Finals: Singles and Doubles Finals on November 2, 2025
- Surface: Outdoor hard courts (Play Pave)
- Draw:
- Singles Main Draw: 32 players
- Singles Qualifying Draw: 24 players
- Doubles Draw: 16 teams
- Total Prize Money: US $275,094 (approximately ₹2.39 crore)
- Schedule:
- Centre Court matches: Monday–Sunday, starting 4:30 PM
- Outside Courts: Monday–Friday, starting 4:00 PM
The prize money and ranking points distribution align with the WTA 250 format, ensuring a meaningful incentive for players to participate.
A glance back: Chennai’s successful return in 2022
The 2022 edition of the WTA Chennai Open marked India’s return to hosting WTA events after 14 years, with the tournament held from September 12 to 18, 2022. Czech teenager Linda Fruhvirtová, then ranked 130th, scripted a memorable run, defeating Poland’s Magda Linette in the final 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 to lift her maiden WTA Tour title. The doubles crown was secured by the top-seeded pairing of Gabriela Dabrowski from Canada and Luisa Stefani from Brazil, who won the title without dropping a set.
Beyond the results, the 2022 event left a strong impression:
- It drew an enthusiastic local crowd eager for high-level tennis.
- It received national TV coverage, bringing back WTA action to Indian screens.
- It showcased breakthrough stories, like Karman Thandi’s first-round upset win against a seeded opponent.
The 2022 edition was initially granted a single-year license, filling a calendar gap created by the cancellation of tournaments in China. Yet, its smooth execution demonstrated that India could be a reliable host on the WTA Tour.
2023–2024: A brief pause
Despite the success, the WTA Chennai Open was not held in 2023 and 2024, resulting in a two-year gap. During this time, Chennai did host the 2024 Chennai Open Challenger, an ATP men’s event in February, but women’s tennis remained absent. Behind the scenes, local organizers and the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA), led by president Vijay Amritraj, continued efforts to secure the tournament’s return.
What the 2025 edition means for Indian tennis
The return of the Chennai Open in 2025 holds meaning that extends far beyond the tournament itself:
✅ Platform for local players: Indian players like Ankita Raina, Karman Thandi, and the emerging generation will get a chance to test themselves against international competition on home soil.
✅ Valuable ranking points: As a WTA 250, the singles winner will earn 250 ranking points, crucial for players aiming to climb the global ladder.
✅ A live tennis experience for fans: For Indian fans, the chance to watch world-class women’s tennis live is a rare opportunity, especially since the ATP Chennai Open ended in 2018.
✅ Revival of local tennis narratives: At a time when no Indian woman is ranked inside the WTA Top 200, hosting a premier event helps build momentum and hope for future generations.
Prize money and competitive incentive
The prize money for 2025 mirrors WTA standards:
| Round | Singles (USD) | Doubles (USD per team) |
| Winner | $36,300 | $13,200 |
| Finalist | $21,484 | $7,430 |
| Semi-Finalist | $11,970 | $4,260 |
| Quarter-Finalist | $6,815 | $2,540 |
| Round of 16 | $4,160 | $1,960 |
| Round of 32 | $2,975 | – |
For many mid-ranked and rising players, these figures are significant, often covering travel, coaching, and training expenses.
Chennai’s unique place in tennis
The SDAT Tennis Stadium has long been associated with high-level tennis, having hosted the ATP Chennai Open until 2018. In 2022, it returned to the spotlight, drawing large crowds, generating stories beyond rankings, and rekindling interest in tennis in the city.
The success of 2022 showcased that compelling competition isn’t solely dependent on big names — even young talents and unexpected results can captivate fans. This makes Chennai a natural fit for the WTA’s strategy of nurturing new markets and stories.
The role of vision and leadership
The Chennai Open’s comeback is the result of focused efforts by the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association, under the leadership of Vijay Amritraj. Since 2018, Amritraj has openly championed the return of elite tennis to Chennai. The consistent backing of the Government of Tamil Nadu and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) has further anchored the event, turning it from a temporary stopgap into a sustainable fixture.
Sustaining the momentum
Bringing back the tournament is a big step, but sustaining it will require:
- Continued local government support and corporate sponsorship.
- Strong draws, even if occasional withdrawals happen.
- Year-round grassroots engagement, including coaching clinics and school programs.
These factors will ensure the Chennai Open remains more than just a one-week event instead, it becomes a pillar of India’s tennis development.
The journey of the WTA Chennai Open from its surprise success in 2022, through a pause, to a confident return in 2025 reflects the resilience and passion driving Indian tennis. More than prize money and ranking points, the event represents a statement: that India is eager and ready to host world-class tennis again.
From October 27 to November 2, 2025, Chennai will welcome players, fans, and media once more. The spotlight will fall not only on champions but also on new stories: local talents, comebacks, and unexpected breakthroughs.
With this return, Chennai isn’t just filling a slot on the WTA calendar it is stepping up as a consistent, enthusiastic, and ambitious host. And for Indian tennis, that means a renewed sense of hope, inspiration, and a stage to dream bigger than ever before.
