Young Guns Make China Open a Success
The China Open is a young tournament – and it is young players who are putting it on the tennis map.
(PRWEB) September 27, 2005
The China Open is a young tournament – and it is young players who are putting it on the tennis map.
One week after Spanish superkid Rafael Nadal was crowned menÂ’s singles champion, 18-year-old Maria Kirilenko of Russia captured the womenÂ’s crown.
Tournament director Ekkehard Rathgeber was delighted with the performances of tennisÂ’ new generation at the Beijing Tennis Centre.
“Nadal played some fantastic tennis in the first week – which was to be expected because he was the top seed and the world No.2,” said Rathgeber.
“Kirilenko’s victory was more of a surprise, because she wasn’t among the favourites, but she really came of age during the women’s event. This was her maiden WTA Tour title and I’m sure it will be the first of many – she is one of the rising stars of world tennis.”
It was just the second edition of the China Open, which has a 10-year commitment to Beijing, and Rathgeber felt there were many positives to emerge from the two-week event.
“We saw some great tennis, two marvellous finals and we crowned two worthy singles champions,” he said.
“We were also delighted by the displays of China’s rising band of women’s players. Sun Tiantian’s second-round victory over Serena Williams will live long in the memory and, in Sun and Peng Shuai, China had two representatives in the quarter-finals.
“The fans really got behind the home players and gave them tremendous support. Personally, I do not think the day is too far off when a Chinese player wins the women’s singles here.”
In addition, the China Open was a great success off the court, according to Rathgeber, who is also Chief Operating Officer of tournament co-organiser TOM Group Limited, an associate of Hutchison Whampoa.
“The organisation was an improvement on last year,” he said. “We got very positive feedback from the ATP and WTA – indeed the ATP’s tournament supervisor, Ed Hardisty, congratulated us on a very successful week.
“Nadal has gone on record as saying he likes Beijing, he enjoys playing at the China Open and he fully intends to return next year, as does Kirilenko.
“Attendances were also an improvement on last year. Tennis is gradually gaining a foothold in China and fans here are still learning about the game, but they have been extremely enthusiastic these past two weeks.
“That is not only good for the China Open, it is good for Chinese tennis. As a result of this tournament, we expect more and more young people to take up the sport – the future is very bright.”
China Open officials had a busy second week due to a succession of injury pullouts.
Lindsay Davenport withdrew with a back injury on the eve of the tournament, Venus Williams pulled out with a sore knee after her second-round match and top seed Maria Sharapova had to retire during her semi-final against Maria Kirilenko with a recurrence of the pectoral muscle injury that disrupted her summer.
In addition, Serena Williams suffered ankle problems during her defeat by Sun.
“It was unfortunate, but it was just coincidence,” said Rathgeber. “All the players tried their best. Venus Williams completed her match even though she had the injury and Maria Sharapova wanted to continue and only stopped when the pain became too much.
“Lindsay Davenport notified us of her withdrawal before the tournament in accordance with WTA rules. And Serena Williams showed great determination to complete her match even though she was suffering from an ankle injury.
“We have to show understanding in these situations. These players are professional athletes – their health is their livelihood and we can’t expect them to play and run the risk of aggravating an injury.
“Injuries aside, it was a tremendous two weeks. The tournament is now a fixture in the international tennis calendar and is progressing year by year. We’re already looking forward to 2006.”
About TOM Group
TOM Group Limited (HKSE stock code: 2383) is listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. A leading Chinese-language media group in the Greater China region, TOM Group has diverse business interests in five key areas: Internet (TOM Online); outdoor (TOM Outdoor Media Group); publishing; sports; and television and entertainment across markets in mainland China, Taiwan and Hong Kong. In each of the areas it operates, TOM Group has secured market leadership. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group has regional headquarters in Beijing and Taipei, and 3,400 employees in over 20 cities.
Released by Two Up Front on behalf of TOM Group Limited, co-organiser of China Open 2005.
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