2026 WTA Fall Asian Swing Kicks Off With Singapore Open and Korea Open
- The Women's Tennis Association fall Asian swing officially gets underway on Monday, Sept.
- The Singapore Open has been upgraded for the 2026 season from a WTA 250 event to a WTA 500 tournament.
- Nike released custom merchandise featuring the sampaguita, the flower of the Philippines, prompting fans to wait in line for hours outside the tournament store.
The Women’s Tennis Association fall Asian swing officially gets underway on Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, opening with concurrent draws at the Singapore Open and the Korea Open, according to reports from Yahoo Sports.
Singapore Open Upgrade and Field Changes
The Singapore Open has been upgraded for the 2026 season from a WTA 250 event to a WTA 500 tournament. That promotion brings an elevated player draw to Kallang, where athletes are competing for increased ranking points. The tournament carries a unique history, having originally launched 40 years ago in 1986. However, it experienced extensive gaps on the calendar, going unheld from 1991 to 1993 and again from 1995 through 2024 before returning to the WTA schedule in 2025. Elise Mertens enters this year’s tournament as the fourth seed, having captured the singles title when the event returned last year. While top-seeded American Jessica Pegula, who reached the semifinals at the 2026 US Open, withdrew from the tournament, the singles draw still features prominent names. Mirra Andreeva, the 2026 French Open champion, assumes the top seed position in Singapore, followed by second seed Amanda Anisimova and third seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
Eala Mania and Precinct-Wide Festival in Kallang
Nike released custom merchandise featuring the sampaguita, the flower of the Philippines, prompting fans to wait in line for hours outside the tournament store. The venue itself has also grown significantly. According to ausleisure.com.au, the Singapore Tennis Open has expanded into a precinct-wide festival held at The Kallang, creating an immersive fan experience alongside the competitive matches. Players arriving at the venue have praised the environment, with The Straits Times noting that competitors have lapped up the amazing atmosphere ahead of the opening rounds.
Korea Open Action in Seoul
Running alongside the action in Singapore, the Korea Open begins on Sept. 21 as a WTA 250 fixture. Grand Slam champion and Latvian star Jelena Ostapenko headlines the draw as the tournament’s top seed, bringing major tournament pedigree to the South Korean capital as the broader Asian swing gets underway.