The WTA Tour begins to take shape after the opening Australian swing, and Transylvania will be one of the first tournaments to be played in Europe this season. The WTA 250 event will get underway from February 2, with several players aiming for glory at the first indoor hard-court tournament of the year.
The tournament will hold its sixth edition, hosted in Cluj-Napoca since 2021, and features Anastasia Potapova as the defending champion, along with historical champions such as Anett Kontaveit and Karolina Pliskova. With a 32-player singles draw, the standout name in the field is without a doubt Emma Raducanu.
The 2021 US Open champion is the top seed of the tournament and is expected to attract the most attention from the public, as she is also the only Top 30 player in the draw. The European event will also welcome Xinyu Wang, Potapova, Donna Vekic, Kamilla Rakhimova, and former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova — the latter entering the tournament via a wildcard from the organizers, for an event she won in 2024.
In addition, the local crowd will be represented by several home players, hoping to see the first Romanian champion crowned on home soil. Jaqueline Cristian (2nd seed) and Sorana Cirstea (3rd seed) will be among the favourites and the main local hopes.
The Cluj week coincides exactly with the start of the Middle East tournament swing, which includes the WTA 1000 events in Doha and Dubai. For that reason, players entered in the WTA 1000 tournaments traditionally do not compete in European events during this week. However, local players Cristian and Cirstea — along with former Top 10 player Raducanu — are the exceptions, and they are expected to travel quickly to Doha once their participation in Cluj comes to an end.
WTA Transylvania Open 2026 prize money and ranking points
The tournament is committed to distributing a total of US$283,347 for this year’s event — an increase of close to 3% compared to 2025. The player who claims the title — in the final to be played on Saturday, February 7 — will earn a total of 250 ranking points and approximately $36,300 in prize money, while the runner-up will receive 163 ranking points and $21,484.
The semifinalists will leave the tournament with $11,970 each, while players who reach the quarterfinals will collect $6,815. Those who advance to the second round will earn $4,160, while players eliminated in the first round will receive “only” $2,975.
| Round | Ranking Points | Prize Money (USD) |
| Round of 32 | 1 | $2,975 |
| Round of 16 | 30 | $4,160 |
| Quarterfinals | 54 | $6,815 |
| Semifinals | 98 | $11,970 |
| Finalist | 163 | $21,484 |
| Champion | 250 | $36,300 |
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
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