Not surprisingly, Yuan Yue is relishing her return trip to the ATX Open. The 26-year-old Chinese player was the surprise Austin champion in 2024, claiming victory over compatriot Wang Xiyu 6-4, 7-6(4), and she said even now, she’s still feeding off that success.
“It was the best memories for me,” Yuan said during the ATX Open Media Day on Sunday. “I mean the first title always is very special.”
Her win also propelled her into the WTA top 50 for the first time, where she was ranked as high as World No. 36 in 2024. Immediately following her first WTA career win in Austin, she also achieved another milestone – her first WTA 1000 quarterfinal finish at Indian Wells.
Her maiden title win also was unexpected for Yuan because she had just started working with a new coach, Jose Hernandez, which contributed to what she now calls an “amazing result.”
Now, she looks to build on her momentum in Austin 12 months ago. She starts her title defense Monday seeded fourth at the 2025 ATX Open where she will meet Australian Kimberly Birrell in their first head-to-head.
Even though her results at the start of this year haven’t been as good as she had hoped, Yuan said the ATX Open title has helped her have a “bigger, bigger dream” about tennis. “I hope I can be in the top 20,” she said of her goal for 2025. “I can be at a very good level. But I think I still need some time to be there.”
And in terms of coming back to Austin and her comfortability here, she said: “I like everything — same court, same tournament, same club.” She even felt more at home when she got to watch a Chinese movie at a theater near her hotel.
And she thoroughly enjoyed being included in the Players’ Party and Draw Ceremony at the Cadillac Club on Saturday. “I saw many people come to me and speak to me,” she said with a smile. “I very much enjoyed that that vibe.”
As she embraces the familiar atmosphere of the ATX Open, Yuan’s passion for the game is as strong as ever, making her return to Austin all the more special.
