Finals highlight game's net gains

Known for its dramatic karst peaks and winding rivers, Guilin, Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, offered more than postcard views last week. The city hosted the 2025 "Li-Ning Cup" China Pickleball Circuit Finals, a national-level championship that concluded on Sunday and underscored the sport's rapid rise across the country.

The four-day event blended competition with culture, becoming an example of how sports can shape a city's tourism identity.

Alongside the matches, a lively carnival brought players and residents together, creating an atmosphere that extended well beyond the courts.

If the numbers are any indication, pickleball is gaining momentum at remarkable speed. The Finals drew a record 1,057 registrations, reflecting strong grassroots enthusiasm. The event also continued its push toward internationalization, with 56 overseas athletes from 17 countries and regions competing in Guilin.

More than 1,000 matches unfolded across the Guilin International Conference & Exhibition Center and Shanshui Park, with the venues hosting a near-continuous stream of sporting action.

A 45-strong seasoned officiating team from the Chinese Tennis Association — led by chief referee Lu Yinghao and his deputies Su Fuzhi and Ning Jin — ensured smooth and fair play.

For American professional player Thomas Yu, who has competed in China four times, the championship goal was clear — and achieved. Yu and his teammates captured the T2000 team title.

"Each time I come, I feel everyone's level has improved a lot," he said.

"The pressure keeps getting higher, so I really have to give everything during the matches."

Beijing Li-Ning team player Cai Xiang and his partners took the runner-up spot in the T2000 team event. After two tough knockout rounds, Cai said he felt little personal pressure, but acknowledged the advantage of more experienced rivals.

"Competition helps us learn so much. We'll aim to bring the championship back next time."

Foreign athletes, too, felt the welcoming embrace of the host city. Connie Lee of the United States described her first impression of Guilin as "very nice", praising both the scenery and the food. Returning to outdoor play, she added, was refreshing: "It's really nice to feel the weather and the sun."

The Finals also drew a "champion cheering squad", led by eponymous sporting goods brand founder and former world champion gymnast Li Ning himself. He was joined by other Olympic and world champion gymnasts Lou Yun, Li Xiaopeng, Li Chunyang and Bi Wenjing. Their appearance electrified the crowd, and their interactions with players offered an added layer of inspiration.

After trying pickleball for the first time at the Finals, Li Xiaopeng noted the sport's potential benefits.

"It might help athletes with agility and movement," he said, adding that compared with racket-sport professionals, "our ball sense is still much weaker, especially in footwork — there is a lot to learn."

This year's Finals were the culmination of a long journey across the country. Since early spring, the China Pickleball Circuit has traveled through 12 cities — from Dandong of Liaoning province and Nanyang in Henan province, to Shaanxi's Xi'an, Zhejiang's Ningbo and Hubei's Wuhan.

Bai Xilin, director of the tennis administration center under the General Administration of Sport of China, noted that, in recent months, the sport's visibility and participation levels have grown significantly nationwide.

"We want this event to expand pickleball's impact and improve its popularity," Bai said.

"Participants can gain physical and mental well-being, joy and a sense of a happier life."

He added that organizers are continuing to refine the event and hope more athletes from tennis, table tennis and badminton will bring their expertise into pickleball.

Bai is optimistic about what lies ahead — envisioning future Finals with more than a thousand spectators inside an arena, accompanied by livestreamed coverage.

Where sports meet tourism

For Guilin, the event offered a chance to showcase the city's culture and tourism resources to visiting athletes. The municipal government provided free entry to 20 scenic attractions for participants, allowing them to experience the landscapes that define the city's identity.

This is the second consecutive year Guilin has hosted the Finals.

For Guangxi, the event is seen as a catalyst for developing its sports industry and encouraging local tourism.

Li Ning, a Guangxi native, said returning home for the event felt especially meaningful. Pickleball, he noted, carries both athletic value and lifestyle appeal.

"We hope the event brings honor to players, their teams, their clubs and their cities," he said. "Sports also create cultural and lifestyle products that bring joy to everyone."

The Finals were accompanied by a series of cultural programs that extended the event's spirit into the community. A sports fashion show — with professional models and appearances by Beijing pickleball star Cai and former Li-Ning Cup singles champion Zeng Yongliang — highlighted both athletic apparel and Guangxi's distinctive ethnic costumes. The public presentation of the Team China awards outfit for the 2026 Winter Olympics drew particular attention.

A bustling market featuring more than 60 local businesses showcased handmade crafts, regional foods, embroidery, 3D-printed souvenirs and vintage postcards, offering athletes and residents a relaxed gathering place after matches.

Mascot-themed cultural products also proved popular, while newly released commemorative stamps added to the event's collection of keepsakes.

As the last match ended and the crowds drifted away, one thing was clear: pickleball in China is no longer an emerging pastime, but a sport entering its stride — one capable of linking cities, cultures and communities on a national scale.