What Is 2019 Japan Women's Open

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 Japan Women's Open was a WTA International tennis tournament held from August 19 to 25, 2019, in Osaka, Japan. American player Naomi Osaka won the singles title, defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the final with a score of 6–2, 6–3.

Key Facts

Tournament took place from August 19–25, 2019
Held in Osaka, Japan at the Utsubo Tennis Center
Part of the WTA International category with a prize purse of $267,082
Naomi Osaka won the singles title, defeating Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6–2, 6–3
This was Osaka’s first title at her home tournament

Overview

The 2019 Japan Women's Open was a professional women’s tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts. It marked the 12th edition of the event and was part of the WTA International series on the 2019 WTA Tour. Held annually in Osaka, the tournament serves as a key lead-in to the US Open, attracting top players seeking match practice on hard surfaces.

That year, the event featured a 32-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles field. As the only WTA tournament hosted in Japan, it carried significant cultural and competitive importance, especially with home favorite Naomi Osaka headlining the field. The tournament was officially known as the Toray Pan Pacific Open in previous years but was rebranded as the Japan Women's Open starting in 2018.

August 19–25, 2019: The tournament spanned seven days, beginning with qualifying rounds and culminating in the singles final on Saturday, August 25.
Utsubo Tennis Center: Located in Osaka’s Chuo Ward, this historic venue has hosted the event since 2019 after relocating from Tokyo.
$267,082 prize money: The total purse reflected standard WTA International tier funding, with the singles champion earning approximately $43,000.
Naomi Osaka as top seed: Ranked World No. 4, Osaka received significant media attention as Japan’s most prominent tennis star.
Hard court surface: The DecoTurf surface, similar to the US Open, allowed players to fine-tune their games ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season.

How It Works

The Japan Women's Open follows the standard WTA tournament structure, combining ranking points, prize money, and international participation. Players earn WTA ranking points based on how far they advance, with the champion receiving 280 points. The event includes both singles and doubles competitions, with a full week of matches scheduled across multiple courts.

WTA International Tier: This classification indicates a mid-level WTA event, below Premier tournaments but still offering valuable points and exposure. These events typically feature 32–48 player draws.
32-player singles draw: The field includes 21 direct entries, 7 qualifiers, and 4 wild cards, allowing local talent like Japanese players to participate.
Best-of-three sets: All matches are played in best-of-three tiebreak sets, with a standard tiebreak at 6–6 in any set.
Qualifying rounds: Held two days before the main draw, four players emerge from an 8-player qualifying tournament to enter the main singles bracket.
Doubles competition: Features 16 teams; matches often use a 10-point match tiebreak in place of a full third set.
Player rankings impact: Results directly affect WTA rankings, influencing seedings for future tournaments and Grand Slam entries.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2019 Japan Women's Open with other WTA International and Premier events to highlight its scale and significance:

Tournament	Location	Prize Money	Champion Points	Surface
Japan Women's Open 2019	Osaka, Japan	$267,082	280	Hard
Prague Open	Prague, Czech Republic	$267,082	280	Clay
Nottingham Open	Nottingham, UK	$226,750	280	Grass
Washington Open	Washington, D.C., USA	$267,082	280	Hard
Cincinnati Open	Cincinnati, USA	$1,000,000+	1000	Hard

The table illustrates that the 2019 Japan Women's Open was on par with other WTA International events in terms of prize money and ranking points, though far below Premier-level tournaments like Cincinnati. Its unique value lies in being the only WTA event in Asia outside China and its role in promoting tennis in Japan.

Why It Matters

The 2019 Japan Women's Open had lasting implications for tennis in Asia and for player development. As the first WTA event hosted in Japan since 2017, it re-established the country’s presence on the global tennis map and inspired a new generation of Japanese players.

Boost for Japanese tennis: Hosting the event in Osaka elevated domestic interest and participation in the sport, especially among young athletes.
Naomi Osaka’s home victory: Her win marked a historic moment, making her the first Japanese woman to win the tournament since its revival.
Media exposure: The tournament received extensive coverage in Japan, with live broadcasts on major networks like NHK and Fuji TV.
Pathway to Grand Slams: As a US Open Series event, it helped players adjust to hard court conditions before the final Grand Slam.
Economic impact: The event brought tourism and international attention to Osaka, boosting local businesses during the week.
WTA’s global reach: Reinforced the WTA’s commitment to expanding into non-traditional markets and diversifying the sport’s geographic footprint.

Overall, the 2019 Japan Women's Open was more than just a tennis tournament—it was a cultural milestone that combined athletic excellence with national pride and global visibility.