The China Open Tennis Weekend was held over the weekend with great success! Under Beijing's clear, sunny skies, thousands of people turned up to the over forty-five tennis courts to have a lesson or an introduction to the game from 1 of the 90 plus coaches participating in the program.

The China Open Tennis Weekend is the third Official China Open Launch event. The first, held in Beijing in November 2003, featured the visit of top players Marat Safin and Paradorn Srichaphan. The second event, Whitney Houston Live in Celebration of China Open, showcased the American diva's voice for more than 20,000 fans.

The China Open Tennis Weekend provided an opportunity for tennis players to improve their skills by participating in a tennis lesson with an experienced tennis coach. It also provided an opportunity for people who have never played tennis to enjoy the game. "It was a lot of fun. My teacher was funny and I learned how to hold the racket properly", said 10-year-old Liu Xi Ming. "I want to play tennis again. I hope my mum will take me", added the cute girl.

"This is a great program. It is great for the children and they are having a lot of fun. Our Government is to be congratulated for developing such a nice, healthy activity for the people of Beijing. And it was all free-of-charge. My little boy had a great time", said Ms. Zhu Kai Xing, mother of one of the thousands of participating children.

The public at large was allowed to participate in the China Open Tennis Weekend including men, women, adults and children. As part of the festivities, a lucky draw is being held with participants having the opportunity to win a chance to meet newly crowned Princess of Wimbledon Maria Sharapova and US Open champion Marat Safin.

With the inaugural China Open set to start September 10th, the world's best tennis players will be flocking to Beijing. Event organizers confirmed the participation of Grand Slam title winners Safin, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moya, Thomas Johansson, ATP Top Ten David Nalbandian, Top Ten Rainer Schuettler, Dominik Hrbaty, 17-year-old ATP sensation Rafael Nadal, 14-time Grand Slam superstar Serena Williams, China's own Zheng Jie and Athens gold Medal winners Li Ting and Sun Tian Tian. The Event is organized by the National Ministry of Sport and Beijing Municipal Government and headed by Sport Minister Yuan Weimin and Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan.

China Open is established with the objective of becoming one of the world's top five tennis tournaments, Asia's premier annual sporting event and the leading project in China's preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The Tournament will feature competitions for men, women, boys, and girls in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles.

(www.chinaopen.cn September 10, 2004)