WTT kicks off the 2026 season with three consecutive tournaments in the Middle East, starting with Doha hosting its first WTT Champions-level event from January 7 to 11, live on SPOTV NOW.
World number ones Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha headline the list of notable withdrawals from the season opener after sustaining back and ankle injuries respectively at the 2025 WTT Finals in Hong Kong. Both players are not expected to return to competitive action until at least February.
With neither Wang nor Sun in action, the upcoming WTT Champions event presents an early opportunity for emerging contenders and established names to set the tone for the year ahead.
In the men’s singles, world number two Lin Shidong emerges as the leading favourite for the title. Based on recent form, his main challengers are expected to be Truls Moregard, who became the first European to win a WTT Grand Smash singles title at last year’s WTT Europe Smash, and 2025 WTT Finals winner Tomokazu Harimoto.
In the women’s singles draw, Wang Manyu leads the pecking order, with fellow Chinese players Chen Xingtong, Kuai Man and Wang Yidi also among the leading contenders.
Meanwhile, a number of women’s singles withdrawals have opened the door for several dark horses at the Lusail Sports Arena, including American paddler Lily Zhang, who has gone viral following her interactions with NBA star Anthony Edwards, as well as Singapore’s Zeng Jian, who returns to the city where she claimed her first WTT title in 2023 by defeating Wales’ Anna Hursey in the WTT Feeder Doha II final.
With silverware, ranking points and early-season momentum on the line, WTT Champions Doha offers a timely chance for players to capitalise on a reshaped field and stake an early claim as the 2026 season gathers pace.
