Australia steps up efforts to woo Chinese tennis tourists

MELBOURNE - The Australian Open has stepped up efforts to lure Chinese tennis fans to Melbourne Park by boosting telecast and sponsorship deals.

More than 59 million Chinese tuned in to watch the Australian Open in 2017 - up by more than 84 percent on the year before - and organizers are banking on viewership numbers rising again.

The Grand Slam has expanded a long - term relationship with Chinese digital broadcaster iQIYI to 2021, and launched a five - year deal with premium mineral water supplier Ganten.