SLAM HISTORYALL TIME Wuhan VENUES
Optics Valley International Tennis Center, Wuhan: 2014 - present
The first phase of construction of the Optics Valley International Tennis Center was officially completed in 2014. The event took place amid a tennis boom in China following the triumphant victories of legendary Wuhan tennis player Na LI. In 2015, the center was completed, featuring a state-of-the-art central tennis stadium with a capacity of 15,000 spectators. The complex uses the concept of one main and one annex court, connected by overhead overpasses and bridges. This separates pedestrian routes from logistics and service transport, ensuring fast, safe movement between the stadium arenas. Next to the tennis center is an ultra-modern suspended line of a crewless train, Optics Valley Sky Rail, that provides a quick transfer for fans.
Central Court (or Whirlwind Court), Wuhan
In 2015, the tennis complex's main stadium opened. The architects' commitment to futuristic imagery was fully expressed in the style of the Central Court. The building's appearance creates the illusion of a tennis ball rapidly rotating in flight. Others see a powerful vortex rising to the sky. Because of this, the arena received its second name, Whirlwind Court. The stadium can accommodate 15,000 spectators, and the surface is hard Laykold. The stadium has a fully automated sliding roof. Its dome can close or open completely in just a few minutes.
Due to its structure, the stadium can be transformed to host other indoor sports (for example, basketball and volleyball), as well as large-scale concerts.
Central Court (or Whirlwind Court) Seating Map, Wuhan
VIP Boxes. Separate private boxes for groups, partitioned off from one another. Located directly along the perimeter of the playing court, these are the most prestigious seats, offering personalized service and maximum proximity to the tennis players.
Courtside Prestige / Emirates VIP Reserved. Individual reserved premium seats in the general lower-tier stands. These are typically booked by individual fans or couples who want a premium view without buying an entire private box.
Category A. The best and most prestigious category of standard stands. These seats are located in the Lower Tier, directly above the VIP boxes.
Category B. An optimal choice in terms of value for money. Seats in the standard stands, located above the VIP and Category A zones. Offers a great panoramic view of the entire court.
Category C. It belongs to the standard stands and is typically located on the middle or upper tier of the stadium. These stands are evenly distributed around the bowl's perimeter and are popular among spectators who prefer budget-friendly ticket prices.
Category D. Seats in the highest rows are located around the entire perimeter of the stadium bowl. This is the cheapest ticket category for the Central Court.
Court 1 (or Annex Court), Wuhan
Construction of the arena began in 2013–2014 in the East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, informally known as Optics Valley. For the inaugural 2014 WTA Wuhan Open, the stadium was completed and opened, serving as the main arena of the Optics Valley International Tennis Center. The court held 5,000 spectators, and Petra KVITOVA became the tournament’s first champion. In contrast to the gigantic Center Court with its bold shapes, the Annex Court has a more classic, yet modern, bowl-shaped design. However, this shape creates a cozy and authentic atmosphere of “close tennis”, as spectators are just a few meters from the players.
Court 1 (or Annex Court) Seating Map, Wuhan
The seating structure of Court 1, the second-largest stadium at the Optics Valley International Tennis Center, is much simpler than that of the central court. The stands feature a classic bowl-shaped design surrounding the court on all four sides, ensuring excellent visibility from every vantage point thanks to the stadium's compact layout. Spectators who purchase a special ticket for Court C1 (known as the "Joy Ticket") receive full General Admission access not only to the stands at Court C1 but also to the stands at Courts C2, C3, and C4. Seating at these three courts is available on a first-come, first-served basis.