The St. Petersburg Open was a professional men's tennis tournament that held a significant place in the ATP Tour calendar. It was played on indoor hard courts at the Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Typically scheduled for mid to late September, the St. Petersburg Open strategically positioned itself in the tennis calendar following the conclusion of the US Open. The tournament’s structure featured a 28-player singles draw and a 16-team doubles competition.
History
Founded in 1995, the event ran for 29 years before its abolishment in 2021.Throughout its history, the tournament was hosted in Saint Petersburg, Russia. From 1995 to 2013, matches were played at the Petersburg Sports and Concert Complex. In 2015, the event moved to the Sibur Arena, where it remained until its final edition in 2021.
Classification and Playing Surface
The tournament's classification within the ATP Tour structure evolved over time:
- 1995-2019 and 2021: It was part of the ATP World Series, later known as the ATP International Series, and finally as the ATP World Tour 250 series.
- 2020: For one year, it was elevated to ATP Tour 500 status, reflecting its growing importance.
The playing surface of the St. Petersburg Open also saw changes.
- 1995-1999 and 2004-2007: Matches were contested on indoor carpet courts.
- 2000-2003 and 2008-2021: The tournament transitioned to indoor hard courts.
Notable Players
Three players hold the record for having won the event’s singles title more than once, they are Andy Murray, Marat Safin, and Thomas Johansson.A number of Russian players have also gone home with the title, these include Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, and Yevgeny Kafelnikov.
Notable doubles champions include Henri Kontinen, Treat Huey, Marin Damm, Anders Jarryd, and Jared Palmer, and David Adams. The most recent doubles title holders are Jarryd and Damm.
Suspension
In response to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) took decisive action regarding the St. Petersburg Open. Rather than canceling the tournament outright, the ATP chose to relocate the event from Saint Petersburg, Russia, to Kazakhstan.This decision was part of a broader set of measures implemented by international sports organizations in reaction to the geopolitical situation.
The move effectively preserved the tournament slot in the ATP calendar while distancing it from Russia during the conflict.