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The China Open is an exciting tennis tournament that takes place each year in Beijing, China. For the men, it’s part of the ATP World Tour 500 series. For the WTA, this tournament used to be a 1000 level event.
The WTA has not made an announcement about whether they will return to China in 2023. Due to Covid restrictions and the Peng Shuai controversy, the WTA has not played in China for the past several years.
If you are interested in attending the China Open, here’s a guide that will help the true tennis fan enjoy the experience to its fullest. Below we have information about the China Open, including the best places to stay, how to get tickets, and how to watch on TV if you can’t attend the event.
About the China Open Tennis Tournament
The China Open is a relatively new tournament. It’s only been around since 2004.
The men’s and women’s tournament play used to take place at separate times, but since 2008, they occur simultaneously. The trophies that the winners take home in singles and doubles are gorgeous with ornate details that signal a connection to a wealth of Chinese history.
Where is the China Open Tennis Tournament?
The China Open takes place in Beijing, China at the National Tennis Center.
It first hosted the 2008 Beijing Olympics for tennis. Since 2009, the location has been the home of the China Open. The combined capacity for all the courts is 32,400 with 12 match courts and 6 practice courts.
The main court is called the Diamond Court with a capacity of 15,000. The next smaller court is the Lotus Court which can seat 10,000 spectators. The last two main courts are the Moon Court, which can hold 4,000, and the Brad Drewett Court, which can hold 2,000 people.
When is the China Open?
The China Open typically takes place each year at the end of September and into October. The start is usually right after the US Open and right before the Shanghai Masters.
The WTA has not made an announcement about whether they will return to China in 2023. Due to Covid restrictions and the Peng Shuai controversy, the WTA has not played in China for the past several years.
Who are the Current Champions?
The current champions from 2019 are the following:
- Men’s singles: Dominic Thiem (Austria)
- Men’s doubles: Ivan Dodig (Croatia) and Filip Polášek (Slovakia)
- Women’s singles: Naomi Osaka (Japan)
- Women’s doubles: Sofia Kenin (USA) and Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA)
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What Court Surface is the China Open Played On?
The court surface at the National Tennis Center is a hard outdoor surface.
China Open Prize Money & Rankings Points
The prize money in total for the 2019 China Open was $11.9 million (USD). It was divided up the following way for 2019:
- For women’s singles, the winner received $1.5 million and the runner-up got $762,265.
- In women’s doubles, the winners received $515,355 and the runners-up got $258,600.
- For men’s singles, the winner received $733,990 and the runner-up got $364,365.
- The men’s doubles winners received $228,110, and the runners-up got $111,660.
The ranking points from 2019 are as follows:
| Women’s Singles & Doubles | Men’s Singles & Doubles | |
|---|---|---|
| Champion | 1000 | 500 |
| Finalist | 650 | 300 |
| Semi-Finalists | 390 | 180 |
| Quarterfinals | 215 | 90 |
| Rd. of 16 | 120 | 45 singles | no doubles |
| Rd. of 32 | 65 singles | 10 doubles | No singles | no doubles |
| Rd. of 64 | 10 singles | no doubles | No singles | no doubles |
How to Get Tickets to the China Open
If you want to get tickets to the China Open, the official website is the best place to go. All you have to do is pick the date you want to go, the time (either matinee or evening), and the stadium you want to attend.
The stadiums are the Diamond, Lotus, Moon, and Brad Drewett Courts. They will also give you the option of choosing ground pass tickets which lets you have access to the outside courts with lesser-known players but still great tennis matches.
Where to Stay in Beijing for the China Open
Beijing is the capital of China. It’s a huge, busy, metropolitan city that has tons of hotel options. You won’t have trouble finding a great place to stay that’s near the National Tennis Center.
High-End Hotel Options
For 4 or 5 star hotel options, check out these hotels:
- The China National Convention Center Grand Hotel is 1.4 miles from the tennis venue. It’s a 4-star property that used to be 5-stars when it was the Intercontinental.
- You can also choose the Pangu 7 Star Hotel Beijing which is 1.9 miles away from the tennis center. It’s a 5-star property with many amenities to enjoy, like a pool, gym, and world-class dining options.
Budget-Friendly Options
For budget-friendly options, consider these hotels:
- The Holiday Inn Beijing Haidian is 2.4 miles from the National Tennis Center and offers a gym and spa.
- The 7 Days Inn Beijing is a 3-star property that is almost exactly one mile away from the event.
Either would be a great option if you want to be nearby and save a little money in the process.
Airbnb
Airbnb is a popular option in Beijing. There are many high-rise apartments that people rent out in the downtown area. You’ll have no problem finding a room in someone’s place or an entire condo to stay at for the China Open.
Search for flights, hotels, and car rentals in Beijing here:
Getting Around Beijing
The easiest way to get around Beijing is through a taxi. You can also hire a private car to take you to the National Tennis Center. Most of the hotels will have the contact information of transportation people they trust. There is a public bus system that is very inexpensive to take if you feel comfortable navigating the city.
How to Make Your China Open Experience Great
The grounds of the National Tennis Center are huge. Since it was the home of the Beijing Olympics, it’s quite a grand sight to walk around and see all the different courts and design elements that are present in Beijing.
The main courts are the Diamond and Lotus Courts. If you purchase tickets for the biggest courts, you’ll be able to walk around to see the practice courts during the preliminary matches.
When to Arrive at the Tournament
Traffic can be a big headache in Beijing because it’s such a large city. If you are going to be attending the tennis matches, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to get to the venue. You definitely don’t want to miss any of the action if you are stuck in traffic.
What to Bring with You
Since the stadiums are outside, you may want to bring a light jacket. The weather in October can be around 65-70°F. You can’t bring in any outside food or drink with you.
Don’t carry a large bag either, because they will make you check it at the door. Those lines can be very long to retrieve your bag after the matches end.
What to Expect Inside
Inside the National Tennis Center, there are many activities and events going on to entertain tennis fans. You’ll have a ton of food and drink options to choose from all over the venue, and shops to take home plenty of tennis souvenirs.
It’s great fun to walk around the grounds to see and chat with tennis fans from all over the world.
How to Watch the China Open Tournament On TV
You can watch the China Open on the Tennis Channel on cable TV. They have an app that you can download to live stream the event as well.
You’ll be able to catch highlights on ESPN, but you may catch some of the bigger matches on ESPN 2.
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