PREVIEW 2024 Hong Kong Open as ATP action returns for first time since 2002 featuring RUBLEV, KHACHANOV and TIAFOE

The Hong Kong Open will take place between January 1-7, 2024 and will see a return to tennis on the ATP side at least for the first time since 2002. So much time has passed that Juan Carlos Ferrero was the last champion who now coaches Carlos Alcaraz.

Our preview looks ahead to one of only two tournaments outside of the United Cup during the opening week of the season and the only one outside of Australia and New Zealand.

The leading light in Hong Kong over the next week is Andrey Rublev who is top seed and is one of only a few tennis stars who technically has not stopped playing barring a week or two since the season concluded.

Rublev has been involved mainly in fun exhibitions as such with the UTS Grand Final taking place in London as well as the World Tennis League which he won alongside his close friend, Daniil Medvedev as well as Sofia Kenin and Mirra Andreeva. Only Medvedev out of that group of players is not playing at all this next week or at any point before the Australian Open.

He likely won't play though until early next week with Pedro Cachin or a qualifier awaiting him in the second round.

With many of the big names deciding to play United Cup, Brisbane or in the case of Sinner and Alcaraz, no tennis at all, it is still a fairly decent field comprised especially for an ATP 250 outside of the region of the next Grand Slam. Karen Khachanov is second seed and will face either Emil Ruusuvuori or Benjamin Bonzi in the second round, while Frances Tiafoe could face Miomir Kecmanovic.

Also awaiting in Rublev's quarter could be Next Gen finalist, Arthur Fils with Francisco Cerundolo, Lorenzo Musetti and Jan-Lennard Struff also among those involved. The latter faces Marin Cilic aiming for another return in his first round with Mackenzie McDonald potentially in the second round. A tournament which previously revived the fortunes of Leylah Fernandez recently in the WTA could do so for a player going into the 2024 season. All awaits in Hong Kong.