‘Tennis fever’ sweeps through China in 2024

Agency :

As 2024 comes to a close, the tennis court memories linger vividly in many Chinese minds, with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games standing as a pivotal milestone.

On Aug 3, 21-year-old Zheng Qinwen lay sprawled on the clay of the Philippe-Chatrier Court at Roland Garros, her arms outstretched in celebration of a monumental victory. By defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets, she etched her name in history as the first Chinese tennis athlete to win a singles Olympic gold medal.

This triumph represented a personal highlight for Zheng and also marked a significant leap for Chinese tennis on the global stage.

Furthermore, the Chinese pair of Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu clinched a silver medal in the mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics, further fueling the “tennis fever” in China.

The Olympic medals are a testament to the soaring popularity of tennis in China. From the breakthrough victories of Chinese athletes in various tournaments to the rapid growth of the tennis education and training industry, the “tennis fever” is taking strong momentum in the country. Many believe that Chinese tennis has embarked on a new golden era.

“I fight whatever happens on the court. If you always keep going, you will get your chance. I tried to reach the top and then remain there,” Zheng said after her WTA Finals debut. “It’s a great season for me.”

Besides her Olympic glory, Zheng also finished runner-up at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and secured multiple tournament titles.

Shang Juncheng, the 19-year-old rising star, made history by winning his maiden ATP Tour title at the Chengdu Open. As the first male tennis player born after 2005 to claim an ATP title, he also reached the semifinals of ATP Tour events in Hong Kong and Atlanta, positioning himself in the Top 50 in the ATP rankings.