by Sportswriters Li Bowen, Xia Liang, and Gao Meng
BEIJING, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- With the recent conclusion of the China Open and the ongoing WTA 1000 Wuhan Open and ATP 1000 Shanghai Masters, the "China Season," a vibrant part of China's autumn sports calendar, is capturing the attention of tennis fans nationwide.
According to the ATP official website, the country has hosted a series of ATP Tour events this September, including the Chengdu Open, Hangzhou Open, China Open, and Shanghai Masters. Similarly, the WTA official website lists tournaments like the Guangzhou Open, Jiangxi Open, Ningbo Open, and Wuhan Open during this period.
Among these events, the Chengdu and Hangzhou Opens are ATP 250 tournaments, while the Guangzhou and Jiangxi Opens are WTA 250 events. The Shanghai Masters stands out as an ATP 1000 event, while both the Wuhan Open and China Open are WTA 1000 tournaments.
The influx of tournaments can be attributed to the post-Grand Slam surge, marking the arrival of the "China Season."
"The 'China Season' has a long history, typically referring to a series of high-level professional tennis events held in China during the late summer and early autumn. The ATP 250 tournaments in Hangzhou and Chengdu kicked off this year's season on September 18," said Lyu Liang, vice secretary general of the Chinese Tennis Association.
"High-level tennis events are often clustered in international circuits, with similar patterns seen before the Grand Slams. This season is beneficial for elite players, enhancing event promotion, increasing commercial value, and boosting local economies," Lyu added.
For the development of tennis in China, the "China Season" is crucial. Bai Xilin, vice president and secretary general of the Chinese Tennis Association, emphasized that high-level competitions are essential for cultivating top players, offering young Chinese talents the opportunity to compete with world-class athletes and grow through experience.
As a wave of young players like Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen rises on the international stage, China now boasts the second-largest tennis population and the most tennis fans globally. This growing market has led both the ATP and WTA to place greater emphasis on the Chinese scene, resulting in a significant increase in both the quantity and quality of tournaments.
"ATP's four tournaments are now staged in the best venues in China. It's an exciting year in 2024 to have all Chinese players at the ATP China tournaments. All the ATP tournaments in China have become highly sponsorable, and in some cases, sold out. Last year, we saw attendance really spike after people were not able to see live international tennis due to the pandemic. We expect to grow even more this year," said Alison Lee, ATP executive vice president for the international region.
With improving infrastructure, Chinese cities are keen to host more high-profile tennis events, enhancing their international image while driving economic growth. Data from the 2024 China Open shows record attendance, with all tickets selling out on October 1, leading to a total audience of 44,000 on that day alone. Overall attendance for the tournament is expected to reach 300,000, a 50 percent increase from the previous year, with ticket revenues surpassing 80 million yuan - a 60 percent rise.
Officials from the Hangzhou Municipal Bureau of Sports noted that promoting high-quality events will foster synergy between sports, culture, and tourism, driving economic development and opening new opportunities.
Research indicates that surpassing the 8,000 U.S. dollars per capita GDP threshold will trigger an explosion in the sports industry. Tennis, encompassing a range of consumption elements such as facilities, equipment, training, and competitions, has rapidly gained popularity in China.
Looking ahead, as more Chinese players achieve breakthroughs on the international stage, tennis is poised to make an even bigger impact in China, and the "China Season" will undoubtedly become a focal point in the tennis world. ■