By hannover-web.com On October 18, 2023, during a recent interview, Belgian tennis player Jeline Vandromme shared her enchanting experience while exploring the charming city of Chengdu. “As the sound of the flute echoed, it felt as though the ancient buildings along the river came to life; it was just amazing!” she expressed, reflecting on a serene evening spent on the Jinjiang River with fellow tennis players from around the globe, all under the calming breeze and bright moonlight.
The International Tennis Federation’s World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, one of the most prestigious year-end events in world tennis, is taking place in Chengdu from October 16 to 20. This year’s competition features 16 top junior players, including current world junior girls’ No. 1, Australia’s Emerson Jones. To help players unwind, the event organizers curated a rich cultural program.
The Jinjiang River, often referred to as the cradle of Chengdu’s culture, has been celebrated by Chinese poet Du Fu, who famously wrote, “Jinjiang’s spring colors come to the heavens and earth, the clouds float above the ancient and modern.” This picturesque setting saw players and their families taking relaxing boat rides on traditional black awning boats, while animated projections on the riverbanks depicted blooming hibiscus and picturesque scenes reminiscent of the “December Market,” bringing to life the essence of Chengdu, dubbed “the city of flowers.” Jeline’s mother, Corine, commented, “I’m so pleased to have this experience in China for the first time; I’ve never seen such scenery before.”
To deepen participants’ understanding of Chinese culture, the event organizers arranged calligraphy classes, tea ceremonies, and dumpling-making activities. Many players, trying their hands at calligraphy for the first time under the guidance of a master, successfully wrote the Sichuan dialect phrase “巴适” (meaning comfortable).
Romanian player Luca Prida, a quarterfinalist at this year’s US Open, proudly displayed his so-called “masterpiece,” expressing that “巴适” perfectly captures the impression Chengdu has left on him and hopes to return after the competition.
The World Tennis Tour Junior Finals was established to bridge junior and professional tennis, with several now-prominent stars having competed in previous years. Lorenzo Musetti, the Olympic bronze medalist in men’s singles, recalled his experience in Chengdu back in 2018 as both exhilarating and crucial for his transition into the professional arena.
This marks the third visit to Chengdu for the president of the International Tennis Federation, David Haggerty, who noted that this event has been held in the city for seven years. He highlighted the success of players like Zheng Qinwen, who won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, and several others who have reached the ATP or WTA top ten and Grand Slam champions. Nowadays, young tennis athletes eagerly anticipate coming to Chengdu to compete and enjoy the warmth of its culture and people.
