Rublev will give Djokovic positive Hong Kong Open message, but Russian unsure over return
Deposed champion weighing up whether to return for third Hong Kong Open appearance, but compatriot Karen Khachanov keen to break hoodoo
Karen Khachanov has vowed to try to break his Bank of China Hong Kong Open hoodoo in 2026, but deposed champion Andrey Rublev refused to commit to a return to Victoria Park Tennis Centre next year.
World No 19 Khachanov fell to wild card Kei Nishikori at the first hurdle of this year’s tournament, 12 months after going down to surprise finalist Emil Ruusuvuori in his opening match of the 2024 edition.
The 28-year-old, who combined with Rublev to reach the doubles final, said the Hong Kong tournament had improved in 2025, after its successful resurrection after a 22-year absence last year.
“I will be back next year, for sure,” Khachanov said. “The tournament has grown since last year, we saw many improvements inside and outside [main stadium].
“The organisers are doing everything possible to try to be better. [After 2024] they asked Andrey and I, and the other players, what we thought about the food, the conditions and the courts, and they did everything to improve.
“The surface this year was way faster, though – they changed it just before the women’s tournament [in October]. Next year, they might do the opposite and change it before our event.”
