Fans and organizers gear up for upcoming China Open

Slides
Photos

By Yan Weijue (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-30 20:43

With a splendid lineup of tennis stars from China and abroad, this year's China Open is set to make some noise.

As promised by the new slogan "Starry China Open", the tournament boasts stars including all the world's top 50 women players and 19 of the top 30 men players.

Expanding into Asia's top tennis tournament this year, China Open is the only one in Asia to include men's, women's and junior's events. It will be held in Beijing, China's capital, from October 3 to October 11, as part of the celebration activities of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the nation.

The preparations for the big event are going as planned, according to the organizing committee.

The organizers have racked their brains to build an exciting fun-filled event around the competition. On Monday the official released the schedule for the tennis carnival held at the same venue as 9-day competition, with a different theme on each day. Fans will have the chance to get a piece of a super-sized moon cake, take part in a rock show, meet their favorite tennis stars in person, enjoy a cheerleading performance, immerse themselves in Chinese culture, etc. All of the enjoyable activities will make China Open more like a big party than an ordinary tennis tournament. For those who plan to spend their National Day vacation in Beijing, this is an experience that simply can't be missed.

According to a latest report released by officials on Tuesday, the sale of tickets is more than satisfactory. Ticket packages for the central court on October 9 - the quarterfinals - have already been sold out. The good seats for the men's final and women's finals are also in shortage.

The organizers spared no effort in the promotion of China Open. Not stopping at the wonderful carnivals, an unprecedented number of appearances by superstars will be drawing fans from all around the world. The possible redemption of world No 2 Nadal, the Williams Sisters' marquee rivalry, the beautiful Russian girls, and the highly anticipated China's "Golden Flower Girls" are all well worth the ticket price. But the spotlight may be going to someone slightly more unexpected. The Russian star Marat Safin, who will hold his retirement ceremony at China Open, is no doubt the highlight of China Open this year.

Being the first men's champion of China Open in 2004, Safin was given the first wild card slot by the committee on September 3, when he agreed to say goodbye to his fans in Beijing.

"Safin has achieved great success in his career. Being a former world No 1, he has won two grand slams and has thousands of fans all over the world. He is handsome and very distinctive. Fans love him,” Chen Zhen, one of the China Open's commissioners says. "His farewell to this game should be accompanied by his fans, so we decided to invite him to hold his ceremony here, in Beijing, which he said is his lucky place."

Chen also says the ceremony is not going to be extravagant but sweet. And the fans who log onto China Open's website can get a say in how the ceremony is held.

To contact the ticketing office 400-707-9999

China Open's Official Website www.chinaopen.com.cn

Previous page 1 2 Next Page