While the focus of the tennis world is currently on the North American hard courts, the annual autumn rendezvous between China and global tennis stars and fans is already counting down. On the evening of August 20th, the 2026 China season launch ceremony was held on a cruise ship on the Huangpu River. This autumn, a series of tennis extravaganzas will collectively paint a beautiful picture of China in the tennis world.

According to the previously announced schedule, this year's China season will run from September to November, encompassing eight tournaments: the Chengdu Open, Hangzhou Open, China Open, Shanghai Masters, Wuhan Open, Ningbo Open, Guangzhou Open, and Hong Kong Open. The participating teams include a host of top players such as Sinner, Alcaras, Sabalenka, and Swiatek, as well as highly anticipated local favorites Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xinyu, Wu Yibing, and Zhang Zhizhen, and tennis legends led by Federer, Li Na, and Safin, all expected to showcase their skills on various courts. It's worth noting that Shanghai is the rotating host city for this year's China season.

The 2026 China season kicks off. (Photo by Li Mingshen, intern Cen Jianing, Xinmin Evening News)

This marks the second time the concept of the China season has officially appeared in the tennis world. Compared to last year's initial foray, this year's season revolves around "a ceremony, a story, and a showcase." As the representative tennis tournament of the rotating chair city, the Shanghai Masters, opening in early October, will be the first to tell its own story. The tournament's "super friend"—Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer—reminisced about his deep connection with Shanghai through a short video. From his annual appearances at the Qizhong Tennis Center to his strolls through the streets of Shanghai, his presence has long been a part of Shanghai's tennis memory. This story, spanning time and space, not only brings the tournament and fans closer emotionally but also transforms tennis into a life narrative, interpreting the unique significance of the China season for players, professionals, and enthusiasts.

At the ceremony, representatives from each stop of this year's China season received a special commemorative coin set, symbolizing their collaboration across eight cities to jointly map the landscape of Chinese tennis. This token of honor signifies that the eight cities will use the China season as a link to work together to promote the synergy of tennis resources, the linkage of events, and the joint building of brands, thus jointly opening a new chapter in the high-quality development of Chinese tennis.

Bai Xilin, Director and Party Secretary of the Tennis Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, introduced that the 2025 China season attracted nearly one million spectators to watch the games, generating 250 million yuan in box office revenue and driving related consumption of over 16 billion yuan. It has achieved remarkable results in terms of improving competition, empowering cities, boosting industries, and spreading culture. This year's China season will continue to use tennis as a bridge to make new contributions to enriching the new connotations of the Chinese story and spreading China's soft power.

2025 Shanghai Masters Final: Vacheron Constantin (left) vs. Johann Lindeknech. (Photo by Li Mingshen, Xinmin Evening News)

Following a simple yet grand launch ceremony, the main visual and slogan for this year's China season were illuminated amidst the skyscrapers of the Bund, while cruise ships sailed slowly on the Huangpu River, their lights reflecting off the dazzling lights and historic buildings of Lujiazui. Next, the eight host cities will take turns spreading the passion and energy of tennis, making the tournament an important window showcasing the cities' development achievements and vitality.

(Source: Xinmin Evening News; Author: Lu Weixin)