Southeast Asia's Next Tennis Stars Get Their Stage at The Kallang This September

Four national teams. One round-robin format. A chance to test themselves against the neighbours before the world starts watching.

That's the pitch behind the Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup (STIC) 2026, returning to the Kallang Tennis Hub from 23–26 September — and for the young players competing, it's less about the trophy than about the exposure.

STIC brings together national squads from Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia, competing across five events: Ladies' Singles and Doubles, Men's Singles and Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. Defending champions Singapore will be looking to hold onto the Cup they won at the tournament's 2025 debut.

The timing is deliberate. STIC runs alongside the Singapore Tennis Open (STO) 2026 — Southeast Asia's only WTA500 event — meaning regional players get to compete in the same week, at the same venue, as the professional circuit. For a rising junior or up-and-coming national player, that proximity matters more than any prize purse.

Built for the Climb, Not Just the Win

Since launching in 2025, STIC has positioned itself as a stepping stone rather than a standalone event — a place for athletes to leave their domestic circuits, face unfamiliar opponents, and pick up the kind of match experience that doesn't come from playing the same rivals at home.

Three former WTA stars have signed on as tournament ambassadors to back that mission: Indonesia's Yayuk Basuki, Thailand's Tamarine Tanasugarn, and Chinese Taipei's Latisha Chan — a trio with a combined resume that includes a world No. 1 doubles ranking and a career-high world No. 19 in singles.

Basuki, who competed on tour for over a decade, says regional tournaments were what prepared her for the bigger stages. She's returning to Singapore this year to watch the next generation do the same, adding that she hopes to see more Southeast Asian champions emerge who can show the world what the region is capable of.

Tanasugarn points to how far the region's game has come, noting that tournaments like this give players a taste of a world-class atmosphere — the kind of moment, she says, that can shape a future champion.

Chan, who has played WTA Finals matches in Singapore herself, put it simply: every champion was once a young player just taking the next step.

A Home Base for Regional Tennis

The tournament is organised by the Singapore Tennis Association (STA) in partnership with The Kallang Group, and both are framing it as part of a longer-term push to establish Singapore as a connecting point between Southeast Asian tennis and the global game.

STA President Jasmine Quek described STIC — alongside the ATF 12-and-Under Team Competition Finals — as bringing the tennis community together across every level, from juniors taking their first regional steps to national players testing themselves against the region's best.

Yazed Osman, Group Head of Events & Placemaking at The Kallang Group and Co-tournament director of STO, said the goal is for The Kallang to be where sporting pathways get built and partnerships get strengthened, not just where matches get played.

Getting There

Entry to STIC 2026 is free and first-come, first-served — no STO ticket required to watch. Matches run at the Kallang Tennis Hub from 23–26 September, ahead of a full week of tennis at The Kallang from 21–27 September, including two days of free STO qualifying matches on 19–20 September.

Singapore Tennis Invitational Cup 2026 runs 23–26 September at the Kallang Tennis Hub, alongside the Singapore Tennis Open 2026 at OCBC Arena.