China Open draws record crowds, brings fans closer to tennis

Guo Yuan came to the China Open for one player — Zheng Qinwen.

A casual tennis fan, Guo wanted to trade the television screen for a seat in the stands and cheer for the Chinese star on Championship Sunday. Zheng delivered, winning the title and giving Guo an unforgettable experience.

Following Zheng’s career had drawn Guo closer to tennis, and the sport’s growing popularity in China gave her another reason to attend in person. Championship Sunday offered a chance to experience the energy of a live crowd and deepen her connection with the sport.

“Previously, I could only watch her on television,” Guo said of Zheng. “Now that the tournament is being held in China, we can come here in person to cheer her on. Being here and experiencing that connection firsthand is a completely different feeling.”

Guo was one of thousands of fans who packed the grounds around Diamond Court on Championship Sunday, as excitement for the tournament reached its peak. Attendance topped 450,000 over the course of the China Open, setting a record and reflecting the event’s growing appeal.

Held each fall in the heart of Beijing during China’s Golden Week, the China Open attracts many of the world’s top men’s and women’s players, drawing fans from across China and around the globe to watch their favorite stars and experience world-class competition.

The action extends beyond the courts. Interactive games, prize giveaways and food stalls serving cuisine from around the world give visitors plenty to explore between matches, even if they aren’t avid tennis fans.

Cyrus Shi, a tournament attendee, said those attractions help make the China Open an experience for visitors with a range of interests.

“They have a lot of activities here,” Cyrus said. “You can play games and win prizes here. Also, as you can see, there are a lot of traditional foods here. A lot of the stuff here can bring a different experience for the people that come here. Not only for the people that see the competitions, but maybe there are some people that hang around here, and all of them can have a fantastic experience here.”

By Emerson Chaloux, Sierra Hanson, Lainey Hogg and Pranav Sriraman