Tennis legends Pat Cash, Mark Woodforde return as Tournament Ambassadors for Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026
HONG KONG - Following their successful debut appearance last year, two of the most successful men’s tennis players Australia has ever produced – Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde – have confirmed to return as Tournament Ambassadors at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (“BOCHKTO”) from 4 to 11 January at the iconic Victoria Park Tennis Centre Court.
BOCHKTO, one of the opening tournaments for the global ATP season, will once again host some of the world’s best players, including four of the top 20 male tennis athletes in the game, in Asia’s world city, Hong Kong this January.
The Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026 is proud of being an “M” Mark event that helps enhance the image of Hong Kong as Asia’s sports event capital. The “M” Mark status is awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee symbolizing intense, spectacular and signature events in the territory sports calendar.
Cash and Woodforde are no strangers to the city’s internationally renowned tennis scene. Both competed at Victoria Park back in the 1990s with Cash winning the Hong Kong Open Men’s Singles in 1990 while Woodforde was a semifinalist in the doubles seven years later.
They once again delighted tennis fans across the city and the region last year with a star turn as BOCHKTO 2025 Tournament Ambassadors, helping to promote Hong Kong as an international sports event capital to a global audience, and as an unrivalled destination for “sport + Tourism”.
Pat Cash, the 1987 Wimbledon Men’s Singles’ Champion, commented on returning in 2026: “I am delighted to be returning to Hong Kong as a Tournament Ambassador at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open 2026. Hong Kong, especially Victoria Park, has a special place in my heart having won there 35 years ago, and it was amazing to be back last year helping to promote the event to a new generation of fans. I love the food and energy of the city, and think the Hong Kong Open is an amazing place for players to start their season.”
Woodforde, who boasts 67 men’s doubles titles to his name including 12 Grand Slam titles, added: “I am thrilled to be invited back alongside Pat as a Tournament Ambassador at the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open. The ATP season starts in Hong Kong, and I believe it is the perfect event and perfect destination for players to begin their season before they head to Australia. The competition is always intense, and those who do well in Hong Kong tend to take that momentum and confidence with them through the year. After only a few years since its return to the calendar, the Hong Kong Open is already widely recognised as one of the best run tournaments with great crowds and friendly fans, and everyone loves the convenience and excitement of playing right in the heart of Hong Kong at Victoria Park.”
With total prize money exceeding USD 780,000, the 28-player Singles’ draw will be led by world number eight Italian Lorenzo Musetti, world number 11 Alexander Bublik from Kazakhstan, BOCHKTO 2024 champion and world number 16 Andrey Rublev, and world number 18 Karen Khachanov.
Asia’s challenge will be led by local fan favourites and the men’s singles champion and runner-up at the 15th National Games of the People’s Republic of China - Wu Yibing and Jerry Shang Juncheng respectively, as well as Hong Kong’s rising star player Coleman Wong Chak-lam, who became the first male player from the city to reach the third round of a Grand Slam at the US Open earlier this year.
The Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”) is title sponsor of the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open (“BOCHKTO”) for the third consecutive year. Together with the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association (“HKCTA”) and other event partners, BOCHK will continue to make tennis more accessible to the Hong Kong public, and grow the sport in Hong Kong.
HKCTA President Michael Cheng said: “The Hong Kong, China Tennis Association is thrilled to welcome back tennis legends Pat Cash and Mark Woodforde as Tournament Ambassadors for 2026. They played a huge role in ensuring the resounding success of the event last year, and in helping to promote Hong Kong as a tennis capital to fans around the region and the world.
“Cash and Woodforde have so much experience and history in the sport and in the city, which is beneficial to the upcoming players in the draw, and attractive to fans who have been watching them since the 1980s. With another compelling field full of world class players set to excite fans on court, and this personable duo engaging fans around the venue, the Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open is a can’t miss event for any tennis loving family.”
In addition to the enthralling tennis action on the court, there are plenty of fun activities off it for the entire community to enjoy. In a special collaboration with Sanrio Wave Hong Kong, limited-edition themed merchandise featuring some of the most popular Sanrio characters including Hello Kitty, Dear Daniel, Pompompurin, and Macarron will be available for purchase at the free-for-all Tournament Village.
A number of locally sourced brands will also showcase their homemade creations at the mini market within the Tournament Village. A pickleball court and various tennis-inspired games will complement the giant LED screen showing all the action live inside the stadium in the public viewing area. Visitors can watch, play, eat and drink all at the same time as we celebrate all things tennis at BOCHKTO 2026.
The popular and innovative tournament hospitality offering, The Culinary Room, will also return in 2026 offering corporate ticket holders a chance to upgrade their world-class BOCHKTO 2026 experience with world-class fine dining as five award winning chefs take guests on an unforgettable gastronomical journey daily from Wednesday, 7 January.
Tickets are on sale via Ticketflap with prices ranging from HK$370 to HK$1,610.
For the latest tournament updates, please visit the tournament website at www.hkmenstennisopen.com
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