Hong Kong Tennis Open: Wu Yibing hopes to build on National Games win at ‘home’ event

Wu Yibing is hoping to start 2026 with a bang at next month’s Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open as he looks to build on his recent National Games triumph.\nWu’s bond with Hong Kong dates back to more than a decade ago, when he first played in the city at an ITF event.\n“I have played in Hong Kong many times during my teenage years,” he said on Monday. “At that time I was dreaming of competing at Centre Court at Victoria Park.”\nWu looked forward to another chance to take on fellow mainlander Jerry Shang Juncheng and Hong Kong’s Coleman Wong Chak-lam.\n“I am happy to meet old friends like Shang and Wong at the Hong Kong Open,” Wu said. “I train together with Shang now, see each other every day, and have known Wong for years. I believe that we will all bring our best to the court.”\nWu expects a “home court” boost from local fans.\n\n“Chinese players rarely get to compete on home soil like Europeans or Americans do,” he said. “It’s exciting to return to China – same language, fans travelling over, family just two hours away by flight. I hope to deliver a strong performance and get more people watching Chinese players.”\nAfter clinching National Games gold last month by beating Wong and Shang in the semis and final, Wu, who had taken part in the two preceding editions, said this one had been the most competitive yet.\n“I am very happy to overcome the pressure and beat those strong rivals to the title,” he said. “This boosts my confidence for the coming tournament.”\nLooking to next year, Wu, who has never completed a full professional season because of injuries, hoped Hong Kong would bring “good luck”.\nHis schedule starts with Hong Kong, followed by Australian Open qualifying, before the Davis Cup and the North American swing.\nThe 26-year-old, once ranked 54 in the world but now down at 182, has withdrawn several times from tournaments because of injuries, prompting him to “rebuild” his body.\nIn the short off-season after the National Games, he made fitness a priority, while fine-tuning his serve and his slice from the baseline.\n“I want to turn things I wasn’t strong at before into shots I can confidently use in matches,” Wu said.\n\nSeparately, organisers confirmed on Monday that Alexandre Muller would be back to defend the title he won so emphatically earlier this year, and announced the inclusion of top 50 players Lorenzo Sonego and Arthur Fils.\nMuller’s victory propelled him to his best season yet as a professional, with a climb to 42nd in the world rankings.\nWu welcomed the chance to face such highly ranked opponents in Hong Kong. “It is great for us to compete against top players,” he said. “Once we are on court, no matter their ranking or records, I just want to show my best self.\n“Attracting high-ranked foreigners to our domestic events grows the market, promotes tennis and lets fans see their favourites, which is very positive.”\n