The Asian tennis calendar is in full swing and fans have barely caught their breath after the drama at the Ningbo Open as attention now turns to Tokyo for the highly anticipated 2025 Pan Pacific Open. With a wave of withdrawals from both events, the women’s circuit is experiencing a star shake-up, providing new opportunities for emerging talents and seasoned players. Let’s dive into what promises to be an exciting fortnight in women’s tennis.
The WTA Ningbo Open 2025, which began Monday October 13, set the tone for a week marked by surprises and high-profile absences. The tournament, which typically attracts top talent, saw five of the world’s top 20 players withdraw before the first serve. Amanda Anisimova, world number 4 and star in 2025, was to be the top seed. After a remarkable season – runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open and her first WTA 1000 titles in Qatar and Beijing – Anisimova clinched her place in the year-end WTA Finals. With her place in the prestigious event assured, she withdrew from Ningbo, citing a calf injury, although her qualification for the WTA Finals likely played a role in her decision to rest.
Jessica Pegula, a 2024 US Open finalist, followed a similar path. Having just reached the final of the Wuhan Open, where she fell to Coco Gauff, who broke records in the process, Pegula became the sixth player to qualify for the WTA final. Instead of continuing her race in China, she chose to return to the United States for some much-needed recovery time. According to the tournament organizers, “Jessica Pegula withdrew after qualifying for the WTA Finals in Riyadh to rest.”
Emma Navarro, another rising American, also withdrew after her hopes of a WTA Finals berth were dashed in Wuhan, where she lost in the round of 16 to Shuai Zhang. Although his withdrawal has not been officially explained, there is widespread speculation that his season could be over – a blow to fans who enjoyed his breakthrough year, highlighted by his triumph at the Mérida Open.
The withdrawals did not stop with the Americans. Local favorite Qinwen Zheng, who was just returning from an elbow injury at the China Open, compounded the problem in Beijing and subsequently withdrew from the Wuhan and Ningbo entry lists. Ukrainian star Elina Svitolina, last seen at the 2025 US Open, has announced she is ending her season early. In a candid statement, Svitolina cited mental health reasons, saying she was “not in the right frame of mind to compete.” Her absence is deeply felt, especially since her husband, Gaël Monfils, recently revealed that 2026 would be her farewell year on tour.
Reigning Ningbo Open champion Daria Kasatkina is also missing from the draw. She temporarily stepped away from the game, saying she was “at a breaking point due to the intensity of the schedule” and needed a well-deserved break. Paula Badosa, plagued by injuries all year, withdrew after retiring during her China Open match against Karolina Muchova. The Spaniard’s fans are hoping for a healthier 2026.
With so many withdrawals, the door opened to a new wave of competitors. The likes of 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu, 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin, National Bank Open champion Victoria Mboko, Dayana Yastremska, Veronika Kudermetova, Magda Linette and local favorite Xinyu Wang all stepped up to fill out the main draw. Notably, Kenin’s comeback was short-lived as she was defeated 1-6, 0-6 by McCartney Kessler in the first round.
Meanwhile, Ningbo’s top four seeds – Mirra Andreeva, Jasmine Paolini, Elena Rybakina and Ekaterina Alexandrova – have received byes to the round of 16 and are set to begin their campaign on Wednesday, October 15. With the absence of many heavyweights, the field is wide open for the emergence of a surprise champion. Who will seize the moment?
As the dust settles in Ningbo, the spotlight turns to Tokyo for the 40th edition of the Pan Pacific Open, a WTA 500 event that promises plenty of intrigue. The main draw, which begins on Monday, October 20, features a field of 28 singles players, including four wildcards, one protected ranking entrant, six qualifiers and the rest based on the WTA rankings. The final is scheduled for Sunday, October 26 at the iconic Ariake Coliseum and Ariake Tennis Forest Park.
Jasmine Paolini, currently ranked No. 8 in the world, is expected to be the top seed after Pegula withdraws. She is joined by Elena Rybakina (No. 9), Ekaterina Alexandrova (No. 10) and Clara Tauson (No. 12) among the top four seeds, all of whom receive second-round byes. The rest of the contingent includes Belinda Bencic, Naomi Osaka, Linda Noskova and Diana Schnaider. Osaka’s return home is generating a lot of buzz, as fans in Tokyo are eager to see the former world number 1 back in action on Japanese soil.
Wildcards were awarded to Emma Raducanu and Japan’s Moyuka Uchijima, with Raducanu likely to enter the main draw directly due to the wave of withdrawals. Marketa Vondrousova, the 2023 Wimbledon winner, entered using a protected ranking, adding additional star power to the field. Other notable names confirmed for Tokyo include Karolina Muchova, Victoria Mboko, Leylah Fernandez, Sofia Kenin and Dayana Yastremska. According to tournament officials, “Naomi Osaka will compete in her home event in Tokyo.”
The Pan Pacific Open has not been immune to the withdrawal bug. Jessica Pegula, Emma Navarro, Daria Kasatkina and Qinwen Zheng all withdrew, mirroring the pattern seen in Ningbo. With the draw scheduled for Saturday, October 18, fans and players are waiting to see how the draw plays out. There is even speculation that Paolini or Rybakina could bow out if they qualify for the WTA Finals this week, which would further shake up the rankings.
As the Asian swing continues, the women’s tour is experiencing a changing of the guard. The relentless schedule, injuries and mental health issues have forced many stars to step aside, at least temporarily. Yet these absences create opportunities for others to shine. Emma Raducanu, for example, is looking to capitalize on her wildcard entry and recent form, while Victoria Mboko and local hopeful Moyuka Uchijima are eager to make their mark on home soil.
With the main draws in Ningbo and Tokyo featuring a fascinating mix of rising stars, established names and returning champions, tennis fans are in for a treat. The unpredictability of the competitors, combined with the stakes of qualifying for the WTA Finals and the lure of major titles, ensures that every match will be worth watching. As the first balls are hit in Tokyo, all eyes will be on who will step up in the absence of so many top contenders – and whether the next wave of talent can rise to the occasion.
As the action continues in Ningbo and the Pan Pacific Open draw quickly approaches, the women’s tour continues to hold plenty of surprises and intrigue. The next ten days promise drama, upset and perhaps the emergence of a new champion ready to take center stage in Asian tennis.
