The Central Court was ablaze with tennis legends from around the world gathered in the heart of Central China. The grand opening ceremony of the 2023 Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open took place on October 9, 2023, at 18:30 Beijing time at the Henan Provincial Sports Centre Stadium (East Zone) Tennis Final Court.
The magnificent performance of "Kung Fu Zhengzhou" set the stage on fire, marking the commencement of this opening ceremony. Zhengzhou, situated at the heart of China and renowned as one of the eight ancient capitals and one of the nine national central cities, has always been resplendent throughout its history.
As the sole WTA 500-level tournament in China for the year and the most prestigious tennis event in the central region, the 2023 Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open has ignited the passion for tennis across the nation. Nearly 80 top players worldwide have gathered for this nine-day tournament. It will be an exhilarating showdown and will once again captivate the world's attention, shining a spotlight on "Zhengzhou Open."
The opening ceremony was graced by the presence of esteemed guests, including Song Zhenghui, Vice Governor of Henan Provincial People's Government; Laura Ceccarelli, Tournament Director of the 2023 Zhengzhou Open; Liu Wenbin, Chairman of the Chinese Tennis Association; Xiang Zhihong, President of the Bank of Communications Henan Branch; Tian Jian, Deputy Director-general of Henan Provincial Sports Bureau; Chen Hongmin, Vice Mayor of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government; Sun Jiangong, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of Zhengdong New District; Niu Ruihua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee and Director of the Management Committee of Zhengdong New District; and player representatives, including Bai Zhuoxuan and Caroline Garcia. The opening ceremony was hosted by Ma Yufeng, Director of Henan Provincial Sports Bureau.
Chen Hongmin, Deputy Mayor of Zhengzhou Municipal People's Government, delivered a welcome speech and expressed his wishes for the tournament's resounding success and outstanding performances by all the players. He also invited everyone to explore the charms of Zhengzhou, a city known as the "center of heaven and earth" and the "source of Chinese culture," while immersing themselves in the vibrant world of tennis.
Subsequently, Liu Wenbin, Chairman of the Chinese Tennis Association, delivered a speech, and Song Zhenghui, Vice Governor of Henan Provincial People's Government, declared the official opening of the 2023 Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open!
The hosting of the 2023 Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open fully showcases Zhengzhou's achievements in attracting major international sporting events, enhancing global outreach, and bolstering the city's brand reputation and international influence.
The quarter-finals of the 2023 Bank of Communications Zhengzhou Open will be held on October 13, followed by the semi-finals on October 14 and the finals on October 15. The fan carnival has been in full swing, featuring player autograph sessions, ball kid activities, mascot interactions, and sought-after custom souvenirs.
After the opening ceremony, at precisely 19:00, Zheng Qinwen, China's top female tennis player, fresh from her gold medal win at the Hangzhou Asian Games, secured victory in her debut match. On October 10, two Chinese female tennis stars, Zhu Lin and Bai Zhuoxuan, will debut at this year's Zhengzhou Open.