Tennis Fans in China Shower Players with Love and Unique Gifts
As the tennis season reaches the Asian swing, players are finding a much-needed energy boost at the Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open. The reason? The famously passionate sports fans in China.
From the China Open in Beijing to the Wuhan Open, players have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of Chinese tennis lovers. They have been showered with unique gifts, including personalized plush toys, elaborate banners, and dedicated fan art. Even Western players have been delighted by the outpouring of support.
“Honestly, it’s the place I’ve come [where] I’ve gotten the most gifts,” said 2023 US Open champion Coco Gauff. “You’ll get bracelets from some fans in the U.S., but here, you can tell they really take time to give you the gifts and see what you like.”
For two-time Wuhan champion Aryna Sabalenka, who has been dubbed an “old friend” of Wuhan by Chinese media, the gifts often have a tiger theme. Sabalenka has a tiger tattoo on her forearm, a nod to her fighting spirit and the fact that she was born in the Year of the Tiger on the Chinese Zodiac.
“My favorite [gift] so far is the tiger hat. It’s so funny and so cool. I kept it. It’s in my bag,” said Sabalenka. “I also have a big fan who brought me a huge bucket with a lot of little gifts, including gifts for my team.”
But what do players do with all these gifts? Traveling week in and week out with loads of luggage, gear, and trophies, it’s a logistical challenge to accommodate extra pounds of keepsakes.
While it’s not always possible to hang onto every gift, many players are eager to keep as many as they can. Keychains with stuffed animals become permanent accessories on racquet bags, and the bulkiest items may get shipped home.
“Last week in Beijing, I received a huge panda. It weighs around two kilos!” said Mirra Andreeva. “I’m going to take it home, of course. I received a lot of gifts. I don’t mind! I like that.”
In addition to gifts, players are also met with an abundance of autograph seekers. National hero Zheng Qinwen, a native of Wuhan, is by far the most popular target. Her countrywomen like Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu are also riding the wave of the post-Olympics boom in tennis interest in China.
The autograph requests range from action shots and fan art to more unusual items.
“I signed one of my wedding pictures, which was a little strange,” recalled No. 2 seed Jessica Pegula. “There was also a woman who had pictures of her helping us pick up balls printed out, and I signed those.”
These interactions provide a much-needed boost for players who are nearing the end of the season. With season-ending events like WTA Finals Riyadh and the Billie Jean King Cup approaching, the enthusiasm of Chinese fans is a welcome change of pace from the more demure crowds at tournaments like Wimbledon or Indian Wells.
“After my final in Beijing, there was a lady who was saying, ‘I love you, I love you,’ over and over,” said Gauff. “The security guards were laughing. I was laughing too because of how enthusiastic she was! The fans have been very passionate.”
