Advantage, Singapore: How players and fans will enjoy high-level tennis at Kallang Tennis Hub

For the last 12 years, Audrey Tong has spent hours perfecting her serves and strokes on the open-air courts at Kallang Tennis Centre along Stadium Boulevard. 

However, the national tennis player was often at the mercy of Singapore’s erratic weather conditions, putting paid to her best laid plans. 

She says: “We often faced rainouts, which wasted time on travel and waiting for courts to dry.”

With the opening of the Kallang Tennis Hub (KTH) in April 2024

, the 18-year-old and her national team mates will not have to worry about inclement weather conditions anymore. 

“Our training sessions are no longer disrupted by rain or intense heat, allowing for consistency,” she says. 

Fellow Team Singapore athlete Michael Dylan Jimenez agrees. The 18-year-old says: “Playing at KTH has been a pleasant experience, especially with the indoor courts, as it often rains in Singapore and the heat can be overwhelming. My teammates and I appreciate training there, which has enabled me to make consistent progress and prepare for competitions.”

Both Tong and Jimenez will be representing the country at the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup regional tournament held at KTH over four days, on Jan 28 and from Jan 30 to Feb 1. 

The first edition of the quadrangular mixed-team tournament features tennis players from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore as they compete across five categories: ladies’ singles and doubles; men’s singles and doubles; and mixed doubles.

While Tong will be eager to impress on court, she admits that she is grateful for the opportunity to play in such a tournament. 

“Tennis is best developed through consistent exposure to diverse playing styles, age groups, and international competitors,” she says. 

“Events like this provide invaluable opportunities for Singapore’s young tennis players to test our skills against players of varying calibres and backgrounds, which is crucial for our growth and development.”

Running concurrently with the regional tournament will be the inaugural Singapore Tennis Open (STO), a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) 250 tournament that will be held at KTH for the next three years until 2027. 

WTA 250 tournaments are the entry-level competitions on the main WTA Tour, which includes the Grand Slams; WTA Finals; and WTA 1000 and 500 events.

STO 2025 is the first professional women’s tennis tournament to be held in Singapore since the WTA Finals in 2018 when Ukrainian Elina Svitolina took home top honours.

Inclusive approach: Something for everyone

Holding the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup in conjunction with STO 2025 is not a coincidence. 

It is, in fact, a measured strategy adopted by Kallang Alive Sport Management (KASM) that runs the Singapore Sports Hub, of which KTH is a part.

Yazed Osman, group head of events and placemaking and place management at KASM, says: “This dual-format approach maximises fan engagement by attracting a diverse audience – showcasing regional talent on a high-profile platform and offering fans a mix of world-class and top regional matches.” 

Besides tennis fans getting to watch top-level matches at two tournaments, they will also have the chance to catch WTA and Team Singapore players in action.

Also, home-grown athletes can improve their skills and boost match play experience against top regional talents – especially important with the South-east Asian Games being held in Thailand later this year. 

Interest in tennis across all levels will spike during the tournament week and consequently, strengthens the sport’s presence in Singapore and around the region. 

Such an event approach allows the Sports Hub to offer an exciting mix of top-notch live sports for fans to watch and fun community activities for everyone to join in.

Similarly, during the Fiba Intercontinental Cup in 2024, basketball fans could take part in various challenges, which were held alongside the main tournament. This created a more inclusive and engaging experience for all.

“By offering opportunities for participation and enjoyment, Singaporeans can feel a strong sense of pride and belonging when gathering in support of various sporting events,” says Yazed, adding that the KTH is a stellar case in point. 

A shared space, KTH offers “everyday athletes the unique opportunity to play on the same courts as elite professionals, creating an inspiring and inclusive environment for all”, he explains. 

Singapore Sports Hub: Where everyone can enjoy

To transform Kallang into a place for all Singaporeans to enjoy sports and more, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the Kallang Alive master plan

at the National Day Rally 2024

.

“You do not need to be an elite athlete to enjoy the facilities at Kallang. You may be a weekend player, or a beginner or someone trying to pick up a new sport. Whatever your level, so long as you have an interest in sports, there will be something for you here,” he said.

“We will make Kallang a new lifestyle destination for people to watch more sporting and entertainment events; take part in sports; and enjoy quality family time together!”

For national athletes Tong and Jimenez, their family members will definitely play key cheerleading roles at the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup.

It will be Tong’s first time competing at the regional level in a team on home ground, and their support will go a long way in allaying any jitters. 

She says: “Having the support of family and friends in the audience is something I’m looking forward to, and I’m eager to invite them to watch and cheer during my matches.”

For Jimenez, donning national colours “has been an incredible experience”. He says: “I am eager to compete in front of my home crowd as it motivates me to deliver my best tennis and make Singapore proud. Go, Team Singapore!”

The Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup regional tournament is held at the outdoor courts of the Kallang Tennis Hub over four days, on Jan 28 and from Jan 30 to Feb 1. Free entry for all. 

Singapore Tennis Open 2025 also takes place at Kallang Tennis Hub from Jan 27 to Feb 2. The public enjoys free access to qualifying matches on Jan 25 and 26. Learn more about the

Singapore Tennis Open 2025 here

.