2023 China Open opening ceremony: Celebrating reunion on the Mid-Autumn Festival

On the 20th anniversary of the China Open, the grand opening ceremony of the 2023 China Open was held on Diamond Court, the National Tennis Center. 

Under the moonlight, tennis fans from all over the world gathered together to witness the perfect fusion of tennis passion and traditional Chinese reunion culture on the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The opening performance began with an old man and a child reciting ancient poems. It symbolized the inheritance of Chinese culture and took the audience on a journey through the 20-year history of the tournament.

The video “Reunion” portrayed the story of ordinary people meeting and bonding over their shared tennis dreams, which captured the essence of reunion and its deeper significance within the context of tennis.

Subsequently, Jin Dong, the ambassador of the 2023 China Open,  recounted the 20-year growth story of the China Open. Through twenty years of efforts, the China Open has created a warm harbor for Chinese tennis fans, feeling like home.

When the host declared in the opening speech, “Once the appointment is made, nothing can hinder us. Let’s gather in Beijing to watch the games. Welcome home for a reunion and welcome back to watch tennis,” the fans on-site deeply felt a sense of belonging akin to that of a homesick wanderer.

Next, 18 ball kid representatives, 20 volunteer representatives, and fan representatives took the stage to sing and dance. These vibrant and youthful faces not only symbolized the continuous infusion of fresh blood into the China Open but also how this event leads the new trend of tennis in China.

The logos of the sponsors, who have always supported the China Open, were presented on the screen with lively music and lighting effects. It is their powerful support that has created a healthy sports ecosystem for the tournament as well as Chinese tennis. The 2023 China Open is also a reunion for all the dedicated partners who have invested their efforts, hard work, and youth into this event.

Following that, a formation of twenty flags with the China Open logo and the years 2004 to 2023 entered the court, evoking countless unforgettable memories from the past two decades. These flags symbolize not only the hardships and progress of each year’s China Open but also the rise and glory of Chinese tennis. They record the enduring love and determination for tennis held by fans, players, and supporters over the past twenty years.

Finally, Sima Hong, the Director of the Organizing Committee of the 2023 China Open and Vice Mayor of Beijing, announced the start of the event, pushing the ceremony to a climax. Wang Xiyu, who just won her first singles title at the Guangzhou Open, Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina, and  new generation popular player Holger Rune also witnessed the opening ceremony.

This year’s China Open has a strong lineup, almost reuniting all the top players in the world, especially the outstanding players of the new generation. After the opening ceremony, the Diamond Court staged the debut of the rising star Carlos Alcaraz. The stadium roof slowly opened and moonlight poured down, which heralded the success of the 2023 China Open as well as the beginning of a new chapter for Chinese tennis in the next twenty years.