Sports · Tennis · 22 hrs ago
Loiret wheelchair tennis Open rises to world No. 3 tournament tier
The Open paratennis du Loiret begins its 26th edition on October 13 in Fleury-les-Aubrais, France.
The wheelchair tennis tournament has moved up to WC 500, the sport’s third-highest tier, behind the Grand Slams and WC 1000 events.
It is now the second-highest-ranked tournament in France outside Roland-Garros, according to the city of Orléans.
This year’s main draw expands to 72 players across men’s, women’s and quad categories, and the prize money rises from $32,000 to a record $37,000.
The higher grade means winners can earn up to 500 world ranking points, making the event more important for players seeking to improve their positions.
French players Ksénia Chasteau and Guilhem Laget say the stronger field offers a chance to compete against top-ranked opponents.
Chasteau hopes to win the tournament as she works toward a place among the world’s top five before the 2028 Los Angeles Paralympics; the competition ends on October 17.
The Open paratennis du Loiret has been upgraded to the WC 500 tier, the third-highest level of wheelchair tennis.
The 26th edition starts on October 13 at the Complexe sportif de la Forêt in Fleury-les-Aubrais.
The tournament is the second-highest-level wheelchair tennis event in France outside Roland-Garros, according to the city of Orléans.
Its main draw has expanded to 72 players across men’s, women’s and quad categories.
The prize money has risen to $37,000, and winners can earn up to 500 world-ranking points.
- Who
- Wheelchair tennis players, including French players Ksénia Chasteau and Stéphane Houdet.
- What
- The Open paratennis du Loiret has reached the WC 500 tournament tier for its 26th edition.
- When
- It starts on October 13, 2026, and is scheduled to end on October 17.
- Where
- Complexe sportif de la Forêt in Fleury-les-Aubrais, France.
- Why
- The upgrade raises the tournament’s status and the ranking points available to winners.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The tournament moved up one category, according to ici.fr.
The 26th edition of the Open paratennis du Loiret is scheduled to begin.
The competition is scheduled to end.
- Tournament tier
- WC 500, the third-highest level in wheelchair tennis
- Edition
- 26th
- Main draw
- 72 players across men’s, women’s and quad categories
- Prize money
- $37,000
- Maximum winner points
- 500 world-ranking points
What people are saying
For us, it’s great to have a tournament of this scale in France. The best players in the world are here. The world No. 4, 5 and 6. It’s always challenging to be able to play them. It shows the quality of the tournament.
My goal over these two years before the Games is to get closer to the world top five to be seeded in 2028. And that starts now.
Sources
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