The call for the new season has sounded! Summary of Chinese players' participation in the first week

As 2026 begins, the new season is about to kick off, and the Chinese contingent will set out to different venues for new challenges. Their itinerary for the opening week of the year is detailed below.

The United Cup will be held from January 2 to 11 in Sydney and Perth, Australia, featuring 18 teams from around the globe battling for the championship. This marks the third consecutive year China is participating in the United Cup, led by Zhang Zhizhen and Zhu Lin, with teammates You Xiaodi, Terigele, and Wang Aoran joining them. The Chinese team is placed in the Sydney group alongside Canada and Belgium in Group B, and they will face Belgium in a group match on January 3.

The ATP 250 Hong Kong tournament will be held at Victoria Park from January 5 to 11. Shang Juncheng, Wu Yibing, and Huang Zelin have all received wildcards to enter the main draw directly, while Bu Yunchaokete and Zhou Yi will compete in the qualifiers. The event boasts a strong lineup, including world No. 8 Musetti, as well as top 20 players Rublev, Khachanov, and Bublik. Shang Juncheng is making his third consecutive appearance here, having reached the semifinals in the previous two seasons.

Zhang Shuai (Photo: Visual China)

The WTA 500 Brisbane tournament will take place from January 4 to 11. Zhang Shuai will compete in both singles qualifying and doubles, partnering with Samsonova in the doubles event. The "Strait Duo" of Jiang Xinyu and Zhan Haoqing will also participate in the women's doubles. The tournament features seven players from the world’s top ten, including Sabalenka, Rybakina, Anisimova, Pegula, Keys, Andreyeva, and Alexandrova.

Wang Xinyu (Photo: Visual China)

The WTA 250 Auckland tournament runs from January 5 to 11. Wang Xinyu has gained direct entry into the singles main draw and will team up with Zheng Saisai for the doubles event. Guo Hanyu will compete in both singles qualifying and doubles, partnering with French star Mladenovic. Tang Qianhui continues to pair with her longtime partner Santa Maria, and the Chinese duo Xu Yifan/Yang Zhaoxuan are also registered to compete.

Yuan Yue (Photo: Visual China)

Yuan Yue, Bai Zhuoxuan, and Wei Sijia will participate in the WTA 125 event held in Canberra, Australia. All three have qualified for the 2026 Australian Open qualifiers, with Bai Zhuoxuan entering using a protected ranking.

Ma Yexin (Photo: Li Jianyi)

Seven players — Gao Xinyu, Ma Yexin, Wang Yafan, Zheng Wushuang, Tian Fangran, Yang Yidi, and Yao Xinxin — will compete in the W75 tournament in Nonthaburi. Among them, Gao Xinyu and Ma Yexin will also take part in the 2026 Australian Open qualifiers.

Zheng Qinwen (Photo: Visual China)

Although Zheng Qinwen has not registered for any warm-up events, she has confirmed participation in two activities during the Australian Open qualifying week. On January 13, she will play an exhibition match against Rybakina, followed by an appearance on January 14 at the "One-Ball Grand Slam," marking her first competition since the China Open this year.

(Text and editing by Wang Fei)