Hong Kong’s tennis chief confident about future status of ATP tournament at Victoria Park
City receives waivers as centre court does not meet the standards set out by the men’s tennis global governing body
Hong Kong’s tennis chief said he believes the city will continue to receive court dimension waivers to host the men’s professional tour for the foreseeable future.
Victoria Park Tennis Court, the venue for the WTA and ATP 250 events in the city, had been enjoying waivers from ATP for insufficient space, given that centre court was 0.45 metres x 1.42 metres narrower than stipulated by the men’s tennis governing body.
ATP requires that any centre court shall not be smaller than 66 feet (20.11 metres) wide by 132 feet long (40.32 metres) – including run-offs (non-playing area) – to ensure players’ safety.
“It is true that the court dimensions do not meet the current ATP standard,” Michael Cheng Ming-git, president of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (HKCTA), admitted.
“The ATP issues an annual waiver for HKCTA to organise an ATP event at Victoria Park, and we anticipate this will continue for 2027.
“It is not uncommon for ATP to issue waivers because the ATP standard is evolving, and tournament owners are having to adapt to the rising standards.