BEIJING: While the Forbidden City and Great Wall remain Beijing’s iconic attractions, Beijing’s National Tennis Center and Shougang Park have emerged as new hotspots for sports fans during China’s week-long National Day holiday, also known as “Golden Week,” which started on October 1.
On the western side of Chang’an Avenue, Beijing’s main thoroughfare, Shougang Park hosted the World Table Tennis (WTT) China Smash, the largest international table tennis event held in China’s capital since the 1961 World Championships.
Meanwhile, in the northern part of the city, along the Beijing Central Axis – which was recently included in the UNESCO World Heritage List – the China Open was staged at the National Tennis Center.
During this Golden Week, sports events have captivated audiences across China, and have offered opportunities to integrate sports, culture and tourism.
Less than two months after the conclusion of the Paris Olympic Games, Beijing welcomed the world’s best table tennis players, including Olympic champions Sun Yingsha and Ma Long, for the 2024 WTT China Smash, the top-tier event in the WTT series.
“Following the wonderful success of the Paris Olympics for table tennis, it’s really important to see high-level events come to the dual Olympic city of Beijing,” said Steve Dainton, CEO of the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Group and World Table Tennis (WTT) director.
In one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, world No. 1 Wang Chuqin was upset in the round of 32 by Denmark’s Anders Lind.
“It’s a moment I will cherish for the rest of my life, and it gives me a lot of confidence going forward,” Lind said after his win.
The 25-year-old Dane thrived in the energetic atmosphere, with the packed crowd cheering throughout the match.
“The atmosphere in the hall was electrifying, playing in front of so many spectators. I love this sport so much and really wish we could play more in fully-packed halls like this,” he added.
At the China Open, Zheng Qinwen, who had made history in Paris by winning China’s first Olympic tennis singles gold medal, was one of the most anticipated players.
“People start to get tired at the end of the season. For me it’s different,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m really motivated to come and play in China, in front of my people. I know they’re going to support me.”
