The China Open Tennis Weekend was held over the weekend with
great success! Under Beijing's clear, sunny skies, thousands of
people turned up to the over forty-five tennis courts to have a
lesson or an introduction to the game from 1 of the 90 plus coaches
participating in the program.
The China Open Tennis Weekend is the third Official China Open
Launch event. The first, held in Beijing in November 2003, featured
the visit of top players Marat Safin and Paradorn Srichaphan. The
second event, Whitney Houston Live in Celebration of China Open,
showcased the American diva's voice for more than 20,000 fans.
The China Open Tennis Weekend provided an opportunity for tennis
players to improve their skills by participating in a tennis lesson
with an experienced tennis coach. It also provided an opportunity
for people who have never played tennis to enjoy the game. "It was
a lot of fun. My teacher was funny and I learned how to hold the
racket properly", said 10-year-old Liu Xi Ming. "I want to play
tennis again. I hope my mum will take me", added the cute girl.
"This is a great program. It is great for the children and they
are having a lot of fun. Our Government is to be congratulated for
developing such a nice, healthy activity for the people of Beijing.
And it was all free-of-charge. My little boy had a great time",
said Ms. Zhu Kai Xing, mother of one of the thousands of
participating children.
The public at large was allowed to participate in the China Open
Tennis Weekend including men, women, adults and children. As part
of the festivities, a lucky draw is being held with participants
having the opportunity to win a chance to meet newly crowned
Princess of Wimbledon Maria Sharapova and US Open champion Marat
Safin.
With the inaugural China Open set to start September 10th, the
world's best tennis players will be flocking to Beijing. Event
organizers confirmed the participation of Grand Slam title winners
Safin, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, Thomas Johansson, ATP Top
Ten David Nalbandian, Top Ten Rainer Schuettler, Dominik Hrbaty,
17-year-old ATP sensation Rafael Nadal, 14-time Grand Slam
superstar Serena Williams, China's own Zheng Jie and Athens gold
Medal winners Li Ting and Sun Tian Tian. The Event is organized by
the National Ministry of Sport and Beijing Municipal Government and
headed by Sport Minister Yuan Weimin and Beijing Mayor Wang
Qishan.
China Open is established with the objective of becoming one of
the world's top five tennis tournaments, Asia's premier annual
sporting event and the leading project in China's preparations for
the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Tournament will feature
competitions for men, women, boys, and girls in singles, doubles,
and mixed doubles.
(www.chinaopen.cn
September 10, 2004)