World No 8 Emma Navarro to play WTA 125 event in Hong Kong, in ‘massive coup’ for city

Emma Navarro to join former world No 1 Simona Halep in field for first of three professional events at Victoria Park

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Emma Navarro hits a return during her women’s singles second round match against Zhang Shuai during the China Open. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 4:00pm, 29 Sep 2024Updated: 4:13pm, 29 Sep 2024

Hong Kong tennis fans will get a chance to see world No 8 Emma Navarro in action this week, after the American signed up to play in the city’s inaugural WTA 125 event.

A day after the surprise announcement that former world No 1 Simona Halep would be making her competitive return at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis 125, organisers revealed Navarro would also be playing.

However, China’s Zhang Shuai, who made it through to the third round of the China Open at Navarro’s expense, is expected to withdraw. Zhang takes on Belgium’s Greet Minnen in Beijing on Sunday.

Even so, Hong Kong China Tennis Association chief Michael Cheng Ming-git said he thought the line-up for the tournament, which begins at Victoria Park on Monday was arguably better than some WTA 250 ones.

“Usually a top 10 player doesn’t play [in any 125 events] so I’m super happy she is coming to Hong Kong,” Cheng said. “Navarro came through the college route and has done so well on the tour; she is an inspiration to the younger generation.”

China’s Wang Xinyu is expected to play in the Prudential Hong Kong Open. Photo: Xinhua

Peter Johnston, the association’s director of international events, said securing Navarro’s involvement was a “massive coup for the tournament”.