Bigger 'China Swing' brings net gains
Newly expanded WTA schedule serves up immediate boost for new government guideline
As China pushes ahead with its sports industry upgrade, the expansion of the women's professional tennis circuit has served it up a boost by opening up more business opportunities in the sports entertainment sector.
Already a busy stretch on the pro tennis calendar, the annual "China Swing" has got bigger and better this year, with five new WTA 125 events added in the country, anchored by a beyond-its-class leg in Suzhou, Jiangsu province. Combined, they are expected to further elevate the sport's profile, offer local talent more competitive playing time and boost consumption in relevant businesses.
The inaugural Suzhou Open, which swings off its main draw action on Sept 29 at the Sungent International Tennis Center, features an above-average field for a tournament on the entry-level WTA circuit, with all the 23 direct entries in the singles draw ranked within the top-100, and four of whom are inside the top-50.
Slovakia's world No 35 Rebecca Sramkova, the French Open's homegrown semifinalist Lois Boisson (No 46) and the Philippines' rising star Alexandra Eala (No 75) will spearhead the 32-player singles draw, where four qualifiers, four wild-card entries and one special exemption will fill up the remaining spots.
China's current third-highest ranked woman Yuan Yue (No 100), two-time major quarterfinalist Zhang Shuai and former world No 47 Wang Yafan are among a competitive legion of home aces coveting main-draw appearances, either through wildcards or as alternates.
"In terms of the quality of the field, I think it's safe to say that we are almost as competitive as some of the tournaments on the Tour's next level," tournament director Zhou Yunsong said at the launch ceremony of the Suzhou Open on Friday.
"We didn't expect it, to be honest, that so many high-ranking players have signed up to play at a WTA 125 event here.
"I think it all came down to the collective qualities of service and facilities, as well as the accessibility of not just one or two, but a string of events in China that has made a greater number of international players want to come every year."
