The first week of competition on the ATP Tour will feature the ATP 250 Hong Kong Open as one of the opening tournaments of the 2026 season. The event will be played from January 5 to January 11, with four top-20 players headlining an intriguing draw as part of the build-up to the Australian Open.
The main favourite will be world No. 7 Lorenzo Musetti, who is still searching for his first title in four years after falling short in all three finals he contested in 2025. The Italian will be the tournament’s top seed and arrives with a strong chance to continue the level that saw him qualify for the ATP Finals a few months ago and reach the highest ranking of his career.
One player with major ambitions this week is Alexander Bublik, the tournament’s second seed, who arrives as world No. 11 — just steps away from a long-awaited top-10 breakthrough. The 28-year-old could crack the top 10 as early as this week if he reaches the final, which would allow him to overtake Britain’s Jack Draper, who is currently sidelined by injury and set to miss the Australian Open.
Also in the field are experienced Russians Andrey Rublev (No. 16) and Karen Khachanov (No. 17), two established names who have spent years competing at the top level of the tour. Their experience could prove decisive in a tournament where most players arrive without recent match rhythm, making their debut after a month-long off-season.
Defending champion Muller returns, Sonego and Diallo look to make early impact
With all four top seeds ranked inside the top 20, they will receive byes into the second round and will await their opening opponents once the first-round matches of the 28-player draw are completed.
Several players will be eager to collect points and early wins at the start of the season, including Lorenzo Sonego (No. 39), who reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open at the start of 2025. The 30-year-old Italian faces significant pressure to defend points early in the year, with the risk of a sharp rankings drop that could see him fall outside the top 60 within a matter of weeks.
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Another name to watch is Gabriel Diallo, the Canadian who captured his first ATP title in 2025 and will be aiming to maintain the level that helped him climb the rankings. At 24, Diallo is particularly comfortable on fast courts, and the conditions in Hong Kong should suit his game as he looks for a deep run to build confidence early in the season.
Also returning is defending champion Alexandre Muller, who claimed the title in 2025 by defeating former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori in the final. Other notable names in the draw include Nuno Borges (No. 49), Tomás Martín Etcheverry (No. 57), Adrian Mannarino (No. 68) and Marin Čilić (No. 70).
The Asian wildcards could also prove dangerous, with promising young players such as Coleman Wong (No. 150) and former top-50 player Juncheng Shang (No. 406), who is returning to competition after a lengthy injury layoff.
ATP Hong Kong Open 2026 prize money and ranking points
The champion will earn $106,460 in prize money, along with 250 valuable ATP ranking points, particularly important at the start of the season. The runner-up will take home just over half of that amount, receiving $62,115 and 165 ATP points.
Semifinalists will collect $36,520 in prize money and 100 ranking points, while quarterfinalists will receive $21,155 and 50 points. Players reaching the second round will earn $12,285 and 25 points, while first-round exits will receive $7,510, with no ATP ranking points awarded.
Prize money
| Round | Ranking Points | Prize Money (USD) |
| Round of 32 | 0 | $7,510 |
| Round of 16 | 25 | $12,285 |
| Quarterfinals | 50 | $21,155 |
| Semifinals | 100 | $36,520 |
| Finalist | 165 | $62,115 |
| Champion | 250 | $106,460 |
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
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- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
