Ningbo Open | WTA 500 Tennis

Ningbo Open: History, Champions and Tournament Guide

The Ningbo Open is a women's professional tennis tournament held in Ningbo, China. From its beginnings in 2010 to its current position as a WTA 500 event, the tournament has developed into an important stop on the late-season Asian tennis calendar.

Played on outdoor hard courts, Ningbo has welcomed established champions, rising contenders and some of the most promising young players in women's tennis.

Its recent history tells the story of a tournament growing in stature, with Ons Jabeur, Daria Kasatkina and Elena Rybakina among its champions.

Ningbo Open Tournament Overview

The Ningbo Open forms part of the Asian Swing, offering players an opportunity to compete for ranking points during the final stretch of the WTA season.

Ningbo Open History: From ITF Tournament to WTA 500

The Ningbo Open's history extends beyond its recent arrival on the main WTA Tour.

The tournament began in 2010 as an ITF women's event before hosting WTA 125 competitions in 2013 and 2014.

After an extended absence, Ningbo returned to the WTA calendar in 2023 as a WTA 250 tournament.

Its return marked a new chapter, with Ons Jabeur capturing the singles title.

Just one year later, Ningbo was upgraded to WTA 500 status, placing it among the higher-tier events on the women's professional circuit.

The promotion brought greater ranking opportunities and reinforced the tournament's importance within the Asian Swing.

Memorable Ningbo Open Finals

2023: Ons Jabeur Wins the Returning Tournament

Ons Jabeur became the first Ningbo Open champion of its modern WTA Tour era in 2023.

The Tunisian defeated Diana Shnaider 6–2, 6–1 in the championship match, establishing herself as the tournament's first WTA 250 singles winner.

2024: Daria Kasatkina Survives Mirra Andreeva's Challenge

The tournament's first WTA 500 final produced a contest between experience and emerging talent.

Daria Kasatkina defeated 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6–0, 4–6, 6–4 to claim the championship.

Andreeva fought back after losing the opening set and built a 3–0 lead in the decider. Kasatkina recovered to win the match and secure the title.

Earlier in the tournament, Kasatkina had also saved two match points against Yulia Putintseva in the quarterfinals.

Her championship run became one of Ningbo's most memorable stories.

2025: Elena Rybakina Produces a Championship Comeback

Elena Rybakina captured the 2025 Ningbo Open title with a 3–6, 6–0, 6–2 victory over Ekaterina Alexandrova.

After losing the opening set, Rybakina dominated the second and carried her momentum into the decider.

The victory delivered the tenth WTA singles title of her career and strengthened her position in the race toward the season-ending WTA Finals.

Ningbo Open 2026

The BNB Ningbo Open 2026 takes place from October 19 to 25 at the Ningbo Tennis Center.

The tournament features a 28-player singles draw, with the top four seeds receiving first-round byes.

Tournament Details

Players to Watch in 2026

The entry list, as checked on October 15, includes several leading players and emerging contenders.

Elena Rybakina returns as defending champion after her comeback victory in the 2025 final.

Iga Świątek, Jessica Pegula and Elina Svitolina are among the established names listed for the tournament.

Alexandra Eala is also included among the entrants, adding another chapter to her Asian Swing campaign.

Iva Jovic and Sara Bejlek bring emerging talent into a field that combines experience and youth.

The entry list remains subject to change. Final seedings, opening opponents and draw positions will be determined by the official tournament draw.

2026 Singles Prize Money and Ranking Points

The listed prize amounts are awarded according to finishing round and are not cumulative.

Why the Ningbo Open Matters

The Ningbo Open occupies a valuable position in the closing stages of the women's tennis season.

For leading contenders, the tournament provides an opportunity to strengthen their ranking positions and pursue late-season objectives.

For emerging players, competing against established opponents offers another measure of their progress on the WTA Tour.

The tournament also connects different generations of women's tennis, as demonstrated by the 2024 final between Kasatkina and Andreeva.

As the Ningbo Open continues to develop, its championship history provides a growing record of the players and stories shaping women's professional tennis.

Ningbo Open Results and Related Coverage

Follow Tennis Roundup for the latest women's singles stories from Ningbo, including tournament introductions, seedings, match developments and championship coverage.

• Ningbo Open 2026 — Tournament Introduction (upcoming)

• Ningbo Open 2026 — Seedings and Draw (upcoming)

• Ningbo Open 2026 — Daily Roundups (upcoming)

• Ningbo Open 2026 — Tournament Wrap-Up (upcoming)

Official tournament information: WTA Ningbo Open

2026 tournament information last reviewed: October 15, 2026. Entry lists, schedules and competition details are subject to official updates.

Ningbo Open Previous Champions

The Ningbo Open's modern WTA Tour history features three different women's singles champions across its first three editions.

WTA Tour Singles Champions

Earlier WTA 125 Champions

Before joining the main WTA Tour, Ningbo staged two WTA 125 editions.

These earlier champions form part of Ningbo's history, although their titles belong to a different competition tier from the tournament's modern WTA 500 era.