TENN360 | THE FAN'S GUIDE TO THE TOUR
tennis is more than the score.
GUANGZHOU OPEN
Tour
WTA
Date of event
26 Oct-1 Nov 2026
Location
Guangzhou
Surface
Hard outdoor
Website
Singles Title
A Li
Doubles Title
K Piter/J Tjen
Level
250
TENN360 INSIGHT:
The Guangzhou Open has been quietly doing its thing since 2004, making it one of the longer-running tournaments on the Asian swing.
And there is a lovely piece of history here: Li Na won the inaugural singles title.
Today, the tournament is played on outdoor hard courts at the Nansha International Tennis Center, giving it a more relaxed feel than the enormous WTA events elsewhere in China.
It is proper WTA tennis, but without quite so much fuss.
Sometimes that is exactly what you want.
For Centre Court, I'd choose a side-on seat as close to the court as possible.
At a WTA 250, you have a much better chance of getting genuinely close to the action than you would at a huge tournament.
And that's where the fun is.
You can see the players' reactions, hear the ball being struck and appreciate just how quickly these women move around the court.
I'd take a good lower-level side seat over an expensive seat directly behind the baseline.
But I would also keep an eye on the smaller courts.
If you get the chance to watch a good match from only a few rows away, take it.
You may find yourself wondering why you ever paid more for a ticket.
Very good.
This is where smaller tournaments can beat their much bigger sisters.
The Nansha International Tennis Center is a dedicated tennis venue, with the main court surrounded by additional courts and practice areas.
That means there are more opportunities to see players away from their actual matches.
I'd arrive early, find out where the practice sessions are happening and then keep an eye on the smaller courts.
Don't expect guaranteed selfies with the biggest names.
But if getting close to the players is important to you, a WTA 250 is exactly the sort of tournament I'd consider.
I'd go if you enjoy smaller tournaments with a more relaxed atmosphere.
The Guangzhou Open gives you the chance to watch WTA tennis without the scale and crowds that come with the biggest events.
I'd also go if you like discovering tournaments with a bit of history hiding underneath them.
This event has been on the calendar since 2004, and Li Na's victory in the inaugural edition gives it a particularly nice connection to Chinese tennis history.
And if you're already travelling around Asia, it makes a very sensible addition to the itinerary.
Come for the tennis.
Stay for the food.
I'd make the smaller courts part of the plan.
The Guangzhou Open is a WTA 250, so you're not dealing with a sprawling tournament village where you need a map, a compass and a packed lunch just to find Court 4.
That makes it much easier to wander.
I'd arrive early, watch some of the first matches, have a look at practice and then decide where I want to spend the rest of the day.
And don't forget that you're in Guangzhou.
I'd absolutely give yourself some time outside the tennis centre too.
Eat something wonderful, explore the city and remember that your tennis ticket is only one part of the trip.
Although, admittedly, it is the most important part.
Yes.
This is outdoor hard-court tennis, and Guangzhou can still be warm and humid during the autumn.
Don't let the October date convince you that sunscreen is now somebody else's problem.
If you're sitting in direct sunlight for a couple of hours, you'll know about it.
Sunglasses, hat, sunscreen and water are the obvious four.
And if you have a choice of sessions, I'd be tempted by the later one.
Less heat, softer light and then you get to experience Guangzhou after dark.
The Nansha International Tennis Center is in Nansha District, well outside central Guangzhou.
So this is one where I'd plan the journey before leaving your hotel.
Metro and public transport can get you around Guangzhou, but the final part of the trip to the tennis centre may be more convenient by taxi or ride-hailing, particularly if you're unfamiliar with the area.
The journey is the main consideration rather than the venue itself.
Once you're there, everything is much simpler.
You're at one dedicated tennis centre rather than trying to navigate a giant collection of venues.
So get the journey sorted, arrive early and then forget about transport for the rest of the day.
You've got tennis to watch.
I'd skip it if you need a tournament to feel enormous before you can enjoy it.
This isn't a WTA 1000.
There won't be the same depth of stars, huge crowds or endless entertainment that you find at the very top of the women's game.
I'd also skip it if your idea of a perfect tennis trip involves a historic European venue, unpredictable British weather and a glass of something expensive afterwards.
Guangzhou is a very different experience.
And if you're travelling specifically to see one player, wait until the draw is known.
A WTA 250 can produce some excellent names, but the entry list is never a promise.
Power in Numbers
32
Single Draws
5,000
Centre court seat
10
Courts