2018 Chicago 8th International Chinese Tennis Open & The 1st International Chinese Tennis Forum

On the evening of 24 August, a tennis forum was held in the conference hall of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Milwaukee, on the theme of “Tennis Events and Tennis Culture”.

Briefing of the International Chinese Tennis Exchange Forum

In the golden autumn, amateur Chinese tennis enthusiasts from around the world gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, ahead of the 2018 Chicago 8th International Chinese Tennis Invitational. Initiated by ICTF President Lucy, the forum brought together Mr Yuan Wenbin, President of the Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr Zhang Xuefeng, President of the Florida Chinese Chamber of Commerce; Mr Ji Ming, Deputy General Manager of Zhuhai Huafa Sports Operation Management Co., Ltd. and chief planner of the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai; along with amateur tennis clubs from around the world, for a grand exchange on “Tennis Events and Tennis Culture”. Delegates explored the substance and reach of tennis events and tennis culture from every dimension of the sport.
Opening the forum, ICTF President Lucy reviewed the successes and shortcomings of the event’s first three years, and explained that the forum was born of the spirit of “happy tennis” — the hope that through sharing, exchange and cooperation, everyone could raise the quality of amateur tennis events and contribute ideas to the development of tennis culture.

Mr Yuan Wenbin, President of the Wisconsin Chinese Chamber of Commerce, spoke of the physical and mental joy that tennis brings, and of the honesty, understanding and tolerance embedded in the game — the qualities through which he came to know tennis and its unique elegance. He highlighted what he sees as one of the essences of tennis and its distinctive culture: everyone is treated equal (the only sport in the world with equal prize money for men and women), and “do not blame others and do not blame yourself” (the game is remarkably civil — even in doubles you never hear blame or self-reproach; every point is met with a partner’s encouragement, and even spectators on and off the court avoid the coarse language sometimes heard in football, basketball or ice hockey). Rarest of all is the ability not to blame yourself or your partner. What you hear everywhere is encouragement and admiration — something seldom found in any other sport.

Mr Zhang Xuefeng — President of the Florida Chinese Chamber of Commerce, ICTF Vice President and President of its US Chapter — is an all-round sportsman who previously played basketball, badminton, table tennis and golf; yet once he discovered tennis, he hardly took up any other sport again. He shared his insights on happy tennis and making friends through the game, and argued that at this stage, amateur tennis events should look beyond the balance sheet and give greater weight to the extended value that hosting such events can create.

Mr Ji Ming, Deputy General Manager of Zhuhai Huafa Sports Operation Management Co., Ltd. and chief planner of the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, shared the experience behind the rapid rise of the WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai, summarising from a professional standpoint the three essential conditions of a successful event: 1. a strong competition team; 2. solid logistical support; 3. effective promotion and publicity.

The forum was lively throughout, with participants speaking freely and exchanging views in depth. A shared understanding took shape: that amateur tennis events should carry and transmit the meaning and spirit of tennis — health, happiness, tolerance and trust — and that the unique charm of the game will surely bring healthy and well-ordered momentum to the development of tennis and tennis culture.