electra-supply.comOn the evening of October 6, the 2024 China Tennis Open concluded in Beijing with American star Coco Gauff celebrating her victory in the women’s singles final. Set against a backdrop of vibrant autumn colors, this year’s tournament highlighted the emerging talents of China’s female players and the promising progress of its male athletes, reigniting enthusiasm for tennis across the nation.
**Endless Excitement and Breakthroughs**
Regarded as one of Asia’s premier tennis events, the China Open has a rich history that began with its first tournament in 2004. Over the past two decades, it has chronicled both the global tennis landscape and the evolution of the sport in China. This year, the women’s singles draw was expanded from 64 to 96 players, drawing a star-studded lineup, including US Open champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, along with Grand Slam winners Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Coco Gauff, and Naomi Osaka.
Chinese fans were particularly excited to witness the talents of homegrown players like Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, as well as Wang Xinyu, Wang Xiyu, and Zhang Shuai. A record-setting 18 Chinese players participated this year, a historic achievement for the China Open.
The tournament delivered the thrilling matches fans had anticipated. In the men’s singles final, Alcaraz and Sinner engaged in an epic battle that lasted 3 hours and 21 minutes, setting a record for the longest men’s singles match in the history of the China Open. For Gauff, this marked her first title at the event, making her second appearance all the more memorable.
Chinese players also celebrated significant milestones. Zheng made it to the women’s singles semifinals, tying the best performance by a Chinese player at the tournament. Zhang broke her 24-match losing streak to reach the quarterfinals, while wild card entry Bu Yunchaokete delivered an impressive performance, taking down world number six Andrey Rublev and becoming the first Chinese male player to reach the semifinals at the event.
“In front of Chinese fans, I feel energized because I know they support me wholeheartedly,” Zheng shared.
“I’ve achieved my personal goal, and now I might aim even higher—perhaps targeting the world top 50,” Bu added.
**An Increasing Presence of Chinese Players**
“I was amazed to see the stands full; I didn’t expect such a large crowd for my match,” Zheng exclaimed after her opening match at the China Open this year.
Returning to compete in her home country for the first time since winning Olympic gold, Zheng emerged as a “box office hit.” On her debut day, September 28, the venue attracted approximately 39,000 spectators, a record for single-day attendance. Following Zheng’s participation and the men’s final on October 2, attendance peaked at 29,000, as fans stayed late to cheer for her, a testament to their pride in her achievements.
Her impact resonated with international media. Eurosport showcased images of the packed Diamond Court, indicating a turnout rivaling that of Grand Slam finals, leaving foreign fans impressed.
The excitement extended beyond Zheng; matches featuring Wang Xinyu, Zhang Zhizhen, and Bu drew significant crowds, and training sessions attracted enthusiastic fans eager to connect with their favorite players.
This buzz mirrors the growing strength of Chinese tennis on the global stage. In recent years, Chinese players have become more recognizable at Grand Slam events. Zheng reached the Australian Open final this year, broke into the top 10, and became the first Asian woman to win a singles title at the Paris Olympics, while Wang and Zhang secured a mixed doubles silver medal in Paris, boosting the profile of Chinese tennis. Nineteen-year-old Bu recently triumphed at the Chengdu Open.
At this year’s China Open, Bu showcased his potential, reaching the semifinals before falling to world number one Sinner in a tightly contested second-set tiebreak. Sinner praised Bu’s performance, stating that if he keeps this level, his dreams will surely come to fruition.
Once, Chinese men’s tennis operated in the shadow of its women’s counterparts, but players like Zhang Zhizhen, Bu Yunchaokete, and Shang Juncheng are now breaking into the world top 100, highlighting the growing strength and potential of Chinese men’s tennis.
“Having so many Chinese players in the top 100 is fantastic for the sport,” Shang remarked.
Bai Xilin, Director of the Tennis Management Center under the General Administration of Sports, emphasized that China is nurturing a new generation of tennis talent and boasts a series of high-caliber domestic tournaments like the China Open, Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, and Ningbo Open. This growth is fostering the world’s second-largest tennis population and the highest number of tennis fans.
**Comprehensive Growth in Competition and Industry**
Timed perfectly with the “Golden Week” holiday, the intense competition at the China Open drew avid tennis fans in droves. According to the organizers, all ticket categories for the Diamond Court and Lotus Court sold out on October 1, attracting 44,000 spectators to the National Tennis Center. Overall attendance for the tournament is expected to reach 300,000—a 50% increase from last year—with ticket revenues surpassing 80 million yuan, reflecting a remarkable 60% rise.
During the holiday, Ms. Tu from Chengdu brought her daughter to Beijing to attend the matches. “Zheng’s achievements greatly encourage my child. I hope we can have more high-level tennis events in our country to give kids the chance to see tennis stars up close.”
This year, the China Open drew even more fans due to an expanded event scale, enhanced facilities, and innovative cultural activities. By October 5, around 140,000 fans from neighboring cities and over 13,000 international spectators attended matches in Beijing.
The surge in attendance also ignited consumer spending, with the tournament introducing nearly 30 dining brands and over 60 service points, as vendors showcased tennis-themed products and activities to create a lively atmosphere off the courts. Notably, total consumption during the event surpassed 25 million yuan—a nearly 40% increase from the previous year.
Chinese fans’ enthusiasm and knowledge have left a lasting impression on the players. During the match between Sinner and Bu, the crowd demonstrated their admiration for both athletes, with Sinner noting the fairness of the Chinese audience: “It’s never easy to face local players, but the crowd here is truly fair, which is very delightful.”
Czech player Marketa Vondrousova, who defeated Zheng in the women’s singles semifinals, echoed this sentiment, praising the warm support offered to Zheng that extended to her as well.
After the men’s final, Alcaraz commented on the significance of such thrilling matches for the sport: “For those who don’t usually follow tennis, matches like these can inspire them to watch or even pick up the sport.”
From the growth of tennis development to an enhancement of tennis culture and a burgeoning industry, the China Open not only showcased high-level competition but also illustrated the rising momentum of Chinese tennis on the global stage. The increase in event scale and participation reflects the comprehensive growth of tennis in China, from competition to industry.
As the China Open wraps up, with exciting events like the Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, and the upcoming Ningbo Open on the horizon, the momentum of the “China Tennis Season” continues to build.
