Home Court, Beating Heart: Zhu Lin’s National Day Gift to the Crowd

On the first night of China’s National Day holiday, the gift arrived from Lotus Court.

Zhu Lin, competing via wildcard, fought hard and eventually won this match, igniting the enthusiasm of the entire audience. Before the match, she was at a disadvantage in the rankings, but on the court, she showed no fear at all. After the match, she said, “I really enjoy playing when many people are cheering for me.”

“After playing the entire year’s tour events, I always look forward to returning to China.”

Talking about the charm of the home court, Zhu Lin said after the match, “It’s in Beijing again, and it’s National Day. So many people are cheering for me. I don’t know if this is the reason, but I always play better here.”

The significance of this victory has gone beyond mere qualification. October 1 is a national holiday, and a Chinese athlete’s home victory has added a delightful surprise to this festive occasion.

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Shen Yanxing, a young spectator from Shenyang, made his first trip to the China Open and watched her match live. “On the first day of National Day, watching a Chinese athlete win at home felt like a gift to everyone,” his father said. “It truly made us proud.” Shen waited a long time and finally got the signed ball. He smiled with evident contentment.

“Today, there are so many red flags. Waving them is truly uplifting,”said Sun Xiangfeng, a volunteer serving at the ticketing area. “As soon as Zhu Lin appeared, everyone cheered her on, and even the people waiting in line outside the venue joined in. But what moved me most was the demeanor of the spectators. The entire arena fell silent during the athlete’s serve, yet the moment they needed encouragement, support came immediately.”

The influence of the China Open has now spread to different parts of the country. Zhou Zhou from Yunnan flew over 2,000 kilometers to Beijing, bought a ticket to watch Zhu Lin play, and will leave again tomorrow.

“Before coming here, I didn't have any particular expectations. I just wanted to see her from close range,” she said. “She played very effortlessly today. My only wish is that she stays healthy and continues to play for a few more years.”

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After the match, those heartfelt wishes reached Zhu Lin. She smiled and said, “This year hasn’t been easy for me. At my age, I’ve been dealing with injuries that require ongoing treatment. So being able to win at home on such a special day makes me truly happy. I don’t set too many goals for myself. I just want to play happily and stay healthy.”

For Zhu Lin, however, the victory was not only about her own success. At the 2026 China Open, several young Chinese players made the main draw, and she welcomed the rise of the next generation. “I can see how tennis is developing in China, and the future undoubtedly belongs to them,” she said. “If this trend continues, the future of Chinese tennis will only grow brighter.”

This conviction belongs not only to the players. As Zhou, the fan of Zhu Lin said: “I hope the China Open continues to thrive, so that everyone can play on their own doorstep and more people like me can have the opportunity to participate.”

On this night born for celebration, on the stage of Chinese tennis at the China Open, Zhu Lin and her spectators exchanged the same gifts, which are a home-court victory, a festive memory, and a shared anticipation for a brighter tomorrow for Chinese tennis.

By Rong Xinyue, Ye Ruixi