Despite increasing attendance and tennis' roaring popularity in China, the China Open is still battling a financial deficit and lacks revenue streams.

While earning acclaim for its contribution to promoting tennis, the China Open is struggling financially. The massive investment for facility upgrades, prize money and operational costs have brought heavy burdens.

Chinese sports media giant Titan Sports has reported the annual cost of hosting the tournament reached 120 million yuan ($19.6 million) in 2011 and the total financial loss accumulated to almost 300 million yuan last year.