Shenzhen Establishes Itself As Global Tennis Force

The three-week run of ATP Challenger Tour events throughout China concluded on Sunday in Shenzhen, but it certainly won’t be the last tournament held in the bustling city of seven million people.

Zhou Libin, tournament director for the Shenzhen Gemdale Challenger, said that the city’s government is making the sport a top priority and developing long-term plans to build a “city of tennis.” In addition to this week’s Challenger, the Shenzhen Longgang Tennis Center has held an ATP World Tour 250 event each September since 2014, with Andy Murray and Tomas Berdych prevailing in the first two years. The site also holds a WTA International event each January and an ITF women’s Challenger in April.

“This is one of the best tennis centers in Shenzhen,” said Libin. “We also built a brand new hotel next to it so it’s even more convenient for players to compete here.”

Tournament officials also continue to focus on the personalized details that players often remember most. With activities offered this week including a shopping tour to the famous Luohu Mall and a cultural visit to the Wanshi Habitat, many players make it a point to return to Shenzhen year after year.

“The same group of people from the ATP 250 event also run this Challenger, so you can feel how professional they are,” said Di Wu, China’s second-highest ranked player. “This tennis center is among the top in China and the new hotel is fantastic.”

With a 4,000-seat Centre Court, in addition to 32 outdoor and indoor courts, local residents can be found playing year-round at the facility. String company Tecnifibre also holds several junior and amateur events throughout the year in Shenzhen, which means that local kids who compete could one day find themselves in the main draw of an ATP World Tour event in their hometown.

“With Shenzhen holding so many tournaments in the past few years,” said Libin, “I believe the tennis population in this city will only keep getting better.”