World No. 3 Jessica Pegula and breakout star Alexandra Eala will headline the Singapore Tennis Open this September, as the tournament returns with an upgrade to WTA 500 status.
The pair will arrive in Singapore with some recent history between them, having faced off in the Washington Open final earlier this month.
Eala came from a set down to defeat Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, securing her first WTA Tour singles title and becoming the first player from the Philippines to achieve the feat.
They will meet again on Singapore soil when the Singapore Tennis Open takes place from 21 to 27 September at the OCBC Arena at The Kallang.
After making its debut as a WTA 250 tournament in 2025, the event has been elevated to WTA 500 status this year, making it Southeast Asia’s only tournament at that level and one of just 18 WTA 500 events worldwide.
The upgrade brings more ranking points, a bigger prize purse and the prospect of a stronger international field, with more player announcements expected ahead of the tournament.
Pegula Set For First Singapore Appearance
For Pegula, the tournament will mark her first time competing in Singapore.
The 32-year-old American has spent much of the past few seasons among the world’s leading players and has already won titles in Dubai and Charleston in 2026.
“I’m so excited to be coming to the Singapore Tennis Open,” Pegula said in a video announcing her participation.
“It’s my first time in Singapore, and I’m really excited to see the city and all the fans there. Hopefully I’ll see you guys there; I can’t wait.”
Unlike Pegula, Eala is no stranger to Singapore.
The Filipina competed here as a junior at the WTA Future Stars and was among the first players confirmed for the 2026 Singapore Tennis Open.
Her return comes after a breakout period on the WTA Tour, capped by her title in Washington and climb into the world’s top 20.
“Singapore has a really special place in my heart, and I still remember competing there at the WTA Future Stars as a junior player,” Eala said when her participation was announced.
“I have always enjoyed playing in Singapore because it’s so close to home and it’s great to have a WTA 500 event in Southeast Asia! I’m looking forward to enjoying a great week at the Singapore Tennis Open.”
A Bigger Singapore Tennis Open
This year’s Singapore Tennis Open will feature a 28-player singles draw and 16-team doubles draw, with approximately US$1.2 million in prize money on offer.
Two days of qualifying will be held on 19 and 20 September, before the main draw gets underway on 21 September.
The tournament opens the WTA’s Asian Swing, an important stretch in the latter half of the season as players build towards the year-end championships.
The move to the OCBC Arena also gives the event a larger setting than its inaugural edition at the Kallang Tennis Hub, with the Arena able to accommodate up to 3,000 spectators.
Off court, the tournament has secured a growing roster of commercial partners, including Mercedes-Benz as Official Automobile Partner and ASICS as Official Apparel and Footwear partner. Turkish Airlines, Wilson, Hilton Singapore Orchard, Vittel and Maison Perrier are also among the event’s partners.
Regional Talent Gets Its Own Stage
The Singapore Tennis Open will also be part of a wider week of tennis at The Kallang, with the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup returning for its second edition from 23 to 26 September.
Organised by the Singapore Tennis Association in partnership with The Kallang Group, the regional competition will feature national players from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia across Ladies’ Singles and Doubles, Men’s Singles and Doubles and Mixed Doubles.
Singapore enters as defending champion, with the competition designed to give players from the region more opportunities to compete beyond their domestic circuits and gain experience in an international tournament environment.
Entry to the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup is free on a first-come, first-served basis, while qualifying for the Singapore Tennis Open on 19 and 20 September will also be free to spectators.
The Singapore Tennis Open main draw runs from 21 to 27 September at the OCBC Arena. Tickets for the Singapore Tennis Open are currently on sale, with single-session tickets starting from S$8.
