Zhang Zhizhen, China's top tennis star, has confirmed that he is on track to compete in the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) in Hong Kong, scheduled for October 14-15, 2025. The event marks the Asian debut for the UTS, an innovative tennis league founded in 2020 that blends high-octane competition with entertainment.
Currently, Zhang is recovering from an injury. His last tournament was an ATP Masters 1000 event at Indian Wells. "If everything goes well, I should be returning in the week of September 8, at the Challenger Tour event in Guangzhou,” he stated. “I am still recovering, [but] everything is getting better."
The UTS Hong Kong will be held at the Kai Tak Arena of Kai Tak Sports Park. Eight elite players will compete for the Zeus trophy and prize money of over US$300,000. Besides Zhang Zhizhen, the lineup includes crowd favorites such as Nick Kyrgios, Andrey Rublev, and Alex de Minaur. Rising stars Jakub Mensik and Francisco Cerundolo are also set to participate, with Cerundolo making his UTS debut.
The UTS format differs significantly from traditional tennis. It features timed matches and players competing in quarters instead of sets. According to UTS Chief Operating Officer Baptiste Kern, the format provides "45 minutes of packed tennis as opposed to longer matches with long breaks," and encourages fans to cheer and players to interact with coaches and fans during changeovers. This "sportainment" spectacle aims to create a fun and fan-friendly atmosphere.
Michael Cheng, President of the Hong Kong, China Tennis Association, believes that the UTS format is a perfect match for Hong Kong, blending corporate appeal, entertainment, culture, and fashion. He anticipates that the event will quickly sell out, emphasizing the significance of bringing novel events to Hong Kong and establishing the city as a tennis hub in the region. Ticket prices will range from approximately HK$400 to almost HK$1,600, with public sales commencing on August 4.
Chubb Life Hong Kong is the title sponsor for the UTS Hong Kong 2025. As part of their sponsorship, Chubb Life HK will offer exclusive experiences such as VIP tickets to the UTS All-Star Game, on-court private tennis clinics with star players, access to the Chubb Life Lounge, and limited-edition merchandise. They will also launch an interactive game on social media platforms, giving fans the chance to win event tickets and exclusive UTS prizes.
Zhang Zhizhen is a prominent figure in Chinese tennis, achieving a career-high ATP singles ranking of world No. 31 in July 2024. He also reached a doubles ranking of No. 47 in July 2024. In July 2023, he became the highest-ranked Chinese male tennis player in history. Additionally, Zhang won a silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2024 Summer Olympics. He turned professional in 2012.
