Zheng Qinwen (center) attends the opening ceremony of Wuhan Open on October 7. Photo: Courtesy of Wuhan Open

China's top tennis player Zheng Qinwen expressed hopes to have a deep run in the Wuhan Open as the final WTA 1000 tournament of the season officially kicked off on Monday, with the event adding even more excitement to the vibrant tennis atmosphere across the city.

As a local player returning to her hometown for the tournament in Central China's Hubei Province, Zheng expressed her joy at the opening ceremony, saying, "This will be my first time competing in the Wuhan Open as a main draw player. I hope to go further in the tournament, giving fans more chances to watch me play." 

The event, which marked its return after a hiatus since 2019, features a star-studded lineup with 16 of the world's top 20 female players, including top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka, winner of the China Open Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, and Zheng, who will celebrate her 22nd birthday on Tuesday at the birthday party hosted by the event organizers. 

Prior to the event, Zheng posted on her personal X-like Sina Weibo account three photos taken in Wuhan, commenting, "I knew there would be pictures of me all over Wuhan, but I didn't expect to see one of myself as a child. Hello, Wuhan."

As the fifth seed of the tournament, Zheng, who was semifinalist of the China Open in Beijing, will have a bye in the first round and is set to face Jaqueline Cristian of Romania. The tournament boasts a prize pool of approximately $3.22 million, and players will vie for 1,000 ranking points. A total of eight Chinese female players will participate in the singles and doubles. 

As the first Asian-born player to win gold in a tennis singles event at the Olympic Games, Zheng's remarkable performances on the international arena in 2024 have rekindled the local enthusiasm for the sport. Her participation in the event brings immense pride to local fans and underscores Hubei's growing tennis culture.

Li Na, the first Asian-born player to win a Grand Slam singles title, is also from Hubei. 

Zhu Zhenhua, an official with the Wuhan Sports Bureau, told the Changjiang Daily that tennis has long been a key sport for the city, with youth training programs available at nearly all tennis venues across the city. Moreover, 270 junior tennis players are currently registered with the city's sports bureau. 

In the lead-up to the Wuhan Open, the city hosted a youth tennis tournament as part of the Wuhan youth sports games. The three-day event attracted 345 young participants from 13 districts across the city. The competition has seen a larger turnout than in previous years, further reflecting the emphasis on cultivating young talent and Wuhan's commitment to maintaining its status as a tennis hub.