by sportswriters Li Bowen, Hu Jiali, Li Chunyu
BEIJING, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 China Open showcased a dazzling array of top global tennis talent and became a hot topic during China's National Day holiday.
According to tournament organizers, the ticket sales soared to record highs, with merchandise in high demand and an unprecedented atmosphere surrounding this year's event which concluded on Sunday.
Zhang Junhui, the tournament director of the China Open, said, "The 'China Open fever' is not only a warm response from the public to the remarkable achievements of our domestic players on the international stage, but also a reflection of the event's twenty years of quality enhancement."
Attendance figures revealed record-breaking numbers, with October 1 marking a peak of 44,000 spectators at the National Tennis Center. All tickets for the Diamond and Lotus courts sold out, along with "fan enjoyment" tickets for outer courts, highlighting a bustling atmosphere.
Overall, the tournament is expected to attract around 300,000 attendees, a 50% increase from last year. As of October 5, approximately 140,000 fans from other regions and over 13,000 international spectators attended. Total ticket revenue surpassed 80 million, a 60% increase from the previous year.
Zhang attributed the tournament's success to the high-caliber competition, featuring a lineup that includes Grand Slam champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, along with 18 Chinese Tennis Association players, setting a record for local participation.
"We began discussions with top international players early in the year, and the lineup represents the highest level of contemporary tennis world," he said.
Chinese players also made significant strides, with Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen reaching the women's singles semifinals, becoming the second local player to make it to the top four. Wild card Zhang Shuai ended her 24-match singles losing streak to reach the quarterfinals, while Buyunchaokete became the first Chinese Tennis Association player to enter the men's singles semifinals.
"The emergence of high-level players has notably propelled tennis within the sports industry. Zheng's Olympic victory has significantly ignited public interest in tennis," said Zhang.
Zhang expressed that this year exceeded expectations in both attendance and consumer spending, particularly in merchandise sales. The tournament's new mascot, "A Zhong," gained immense popularity, leading to shortages of tennis-themed products.
In terms of commercial partnerships, the tournament adopted a model featuring "one chief sponsor, three diamond sponsors, and eight platinum sponsors," along with 10 partners. These sponsors engaged in over 100 interactive events, attracting more than 10,000 participants.
"Sponsors are now deeply integrating tennis culture and the essence of the China Open with their brand products," Zhang added.
This year's tournament introduced more seating and food stalls, with nearly 30 dining brands, creating an appealing atmosphere. Creative products, like tennis-shaped ice cream, attracted attention and enhanced the family viewing experience. One ice cream shop employee said, "Our tennis-themed ice cream sells out quickly every day - it's in high demand."
As the China Open enters a new 20-year phase, Zhang stated, "They say it takes ten years to sharpen a sword; we have been refining ours for 20. The China Open is structured with clear goals, focusing on creating an excellent tournament atmosphere. We will continue to strive to provide the best experience for players and spectators alike." ■
