Indonesia’s Janice Tjen delivered one of the most memorable performances of the 2025 tennis season by completing a historic double at the Chennai Open, clinching both the singles and doubles titles at the SDAT Stadium. The 23-year-old player’s victory not only marked her first-ever WTA singles title but also solidified her position as one of Asia’s most promising talents on the international tennis circuit.
Just a year ago, Tjen was ranked No. 573 in the world in singles. Fast forward to November 2025, and she now stands as a symbol of perseverance and breakthrough success in Indonesian tennis. Her journey has been nothing short of inspiring — from struggling in early rounds of minor events to now lifting two prestigious trophies on the same day.
In the singles final, Janice Tjen faced Australia’s Kimberly Birrell, the tournament’s seventh seed, in what turned out to be a display of power, patience, and precision. Tjen took early control of the match, winning the first set 6-4 with dominant baseline play and confident serving. The second set saw her race to a 4-0 lead, only for Birrell to mount a spirited comeback. The Australian saved multiple match points in her semifinal and once again threatened to turn the tide, narrowing the gap to 4-3. However, Tjen held her nerve, sealing the second set 6-3 and the championship in just over two hours.
The victory was historic — Janice Tjen became the first Indonesian in more than two decades to win a WTA singles title, a feat that will inspire the next generation of players in her country. But her day was far from over.
Later in the evening, Tjen returned to the court alongside her compatriot Aldila Sutjiadi for the doubles final. The Indonesian pair, seeded second, faced the formidable top seeds Storm Hunter (Australia) and Monica Niculescu (Romania). In a closely contested match, Tjen and Sutjiadi showed incredible chemistry and tactical awareness, securing a 7-5, 6-4 victory to lift their first WTA doubles title as a team.
This doubles win marked Janice Tjen‘s second WTA doubles title in two weeks — following her triumph in Guangzhou — and the sixth career doubles title for Sutjiadi. Their success underlined Indonesia’s rising influence in women’s tennis and reflected the benefits of teamwork, shared ambition, and national pride.
The Chennai Open, organized by the Tamil Nadu Tennis Association (TNTA) and supported by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), has been pivotal in bringing international women’s tennis to South India. Over the years, it has served as a platform for emerging players to showcase their talent and compete against seasoned professionals in front of passionate fans.
The 2025 edition, in particular, stood out for its electric atmosphere and strong participation, despite the absence of major global superstars. Players, organizers, and fans all contributed to an event that embodied the spirit of competition and community. With matches often extending late into the evening, the Chennai crowd cheered wholeheartedly for every player, creating an environment reminiscent of tennis’ golden era in the region.
Tjen’s performance also symbolized the broader resurgence of Asian players on the WTA Tour, following in the footsteps of champions from Japan, China, and India who have made waves internationally. Her back-to-back victories highlight the growing infrastructure and support systems available to Southeast Asian players striving to make their mark globally.
The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association), which has championed equality and opportunity in women’s sport since its founding by Billie Jean King in 1973, continues to provide a global stage for athletes like Tjen to rise, inspiring millions of fans across continents.
As the sun set on another successful edition of the Chennai Open, Janice Tjen’s name was etched into the tournament’s history books — not just as a double champion but as a symbol of determination, discipline, and the global spirit of tennis. Her remarkable surge is a reminder that the future of women’s tennis is increasingly diverse, dynamic, and filled with stories of triumph born from resilience.
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