Tennis Fever Sweeps Small-Town China
Two unassuming towns in China are rewriting the narrative of tennis, transforming it from an elite sport into a beloved pastime for all. In jingshan City, Hubei Province, and Wuning County, Jiangxi Province, tennis courts are popping up everywhere, fostering a vibrant community of players from all walks of life.
Wenfeng Village in Jingshan, dubbed the “No. 1 Tennis Village in China,” boasts over 80 courts, a testament to the sport’s widespread appeal.Here, the lines between professions blur as cattle farmers and entrepreneurs alike pick up rackets, proving that tennis transcends social boundaries.
This accessibility is further amplified by the affordability of playing. With over 340 courts and a ratio of 5.67 courts per 10,000 people, Jingshan leads the nation in tennis infrastructure. Many public courts are free during the day, with minimal lighting fees at night, making the sport financially accessible to everyone.
The “tennis for all” movement extends beyond Jingshan. In Wuning County, tennis courts are becoming a staple on school campuses, introducing the sport to a younger generation. This initiative, aptly named “tennis into campus,” aims to cultivate a lifelong love for the game.
The impact of this grassroots tennis revolution is palpable. Peng Jufang, a 62-year-old cattle farmer and tennis coach in Jingshan, exemplifies this conversion. He spends his mornings teaching tennis before tending to his herd, demonstrating the seamless integration of the sport into daily life.
“Tennis is for everyone,” Peng Jufang asserts, challenging the perception of tennis as an exclusive sport. “It’s a great way to stay fit, sharpen your mind, and connect with others.”
This sentiment resonates throughout Jingshan, where tennis has become more than just a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon. As Shuai Zhengxue, deputy director of the Jingshan Municipal Government Office, notes, “Tennis has become deeply ingrained in the fabric of our community. From young children to senior citizens, everyone enjoys playing.”
With nearly 100,000 tennis enthusiasts and 48 tennis clubs offering personalized training, Jingshan is a shining example of how a small town can embrace a sport and make it truly accessible to all. The success of Jingshan and Wuning County serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the power of community-driven initiatives to democratize sports and foster a sense of belonging.
From Court to Community: How Tennis is Transforming Rural China
The surge in tennis’s popularity is not just enriching the lives of individuals; it’s also revitalizing the economic landscape of small towns across China. Jingshan, renowned for its “National High-Quality and Rare Hot Spring,” exemplifies this phenomenon. By strategically merging its natural hot spring resources with the allure of tennis,Jingshan has cultivated a unique tourist destination. this innovative approach has earned the town a coveted spot in Hubei Province’s fifth batch of modern service industry clusters.
This year alone, Jingshan’s tennis industry is projected to generate over 3.5 billion yuan, marking a remarkable 40% increase from the previous year. Shuai Zhengxue, a local official, highlights the transformative power of this “tennis craze.” Leveraging the sport’s popularity, Jingshan has successfully developed a thriving rural tourism sector centered around Huiting Lake. this initiative has resulted in the creation of 162 picturesque Hemei Villages,each offering a blend of tranquility and chance.
Wenfeng Village, as a notable example, has embraced the tennis theme, establishing restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and hot spring hotels that cater to sports enthusiasts and wellness seekers. This burgeoning industry has generated approximately 3,000 new jobs, employing over 2,000 individuals and attracting a new population of over 6,000 residents to the area.
Similarly, wuning International Tennis Center has become a hub for national and international tennis events. From hosting the National Youth Tennis Points Tournament to welcoming the ITF (international Tennis Federation) International Tennis Masters Wuning Station, the center has attracted over 70,000 participants and spectators in 2023 alone, with an estimated reach of over 300,000 people.
These events have had a significant economic impact, driving over 300 million yuan in revenue for related industries in Wuning County. This success has led to the progress of a sustainable sports tourism model, encouraging visitors to extend their stay and explore the region’s diverse offerings.
cultivating Champions: Nurturing Talent from the Classroom to the Court
Wuning County is not onyl focused on attracting tennis enthusiasts but also on cultivating the next generation of champions. With 113 campus tennis courts, Wuning has achieved full coverage of primary and secondary schools, ensuring that every child has access to the sport.
The county has implemented a extensive youth sports development programme, introducing tennis in kindergartens, integrating tennis classes into primary school curricula, and creating school-based tennis courses. Real-life tennis teaching videos have been produced, and weekly tennis classes and after-school programs are offered to students.
Wuning’s innovative “school + club” model brings professional coaches to campuses, popularizing tennis among students and identifying promising young talents for specialized training. This approach has yielded extraordinary results, with over 40 athletes achieving provincial and national championship titles.Tan Qi, a coach at the International Tennis Center, emphasizes the importance of this school-based talent identification system. “By focusing on schools, we can provide more opportunities for children to pursue their dreams,” he explains. The coaching team regularly scouts for talent,nurturing promising athletes through different training tiers.
The “double excellence group,” for example, combines half-day cultural classes with half-day training, preparing students for a future as student-athletes. The professional team, conversely, dedicates itself to full-time training, aiming to develop future tennis professionals.
Tang Guanghua, coach of the National Tennis Youth Team and head of the Wuning International Tennis Center, highlights the inspirational impact of Zheng Qinwen’s historic victory at the Paris Olympics. “Her achievement has ignited a passion for tennis among young people,” he observes.The number of students enrolled in the center has surged from over 100 to over 300, demonstrating the profound influence of role models on aspiring athletes.
The success stories of jingshan and wuning illustrate the transformative power of tennis in rural China. By strategically leveraging the sport’s popularity, these communities are not only boosting their economies but also nurturing a new generation of champions, proving that the court can indeed be a springboard for individual and community growth.
Cultivating Tennis Champions: The Jingshan Model
Jingshan City, in collaboration with the Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau, has established a unique tennis academy that’s making waves in the sporting world. This institution, dedicated to nurturing young tennis talent, has implemented a groundbreaking approach to training, balancing rigorous athletic development with academic excellence.
The academy’s success is evident in the impressive achievements of its students.Athletes from over ten countries have flocked to Jingshan for intensive training, resulting in the development of 16 national first-level athletes and 24 second-level athletes. Notably, nine students have earned spots on the Hubei Provincial Tennis Professional Team, and four have been selected for the national Junior Tennis Reserve Team, showcasing the academy’s ability to produce elite players.
Walking through the academy, one is greeted by a vibrant atmosphere. Posters of tennis legends adorn the walls, inspiring the next generation of champions. A especially striking feature is the “Wall of Champions,” showcasing nearly 50 students proudly holding their tennis rackets, their faces beaming with confidence. Below their images, a tapestry of accolades details their victories in domestic and international competitions, highlighting the academy’s commitment to fostering success at all levels.
Shuai Zhengxue, a key figure in the academy’s leadership, envisions a future where Jingshan produces world-class players like Zheng Qinwen and Li Na. While enterprising, this goal is approached with a measured optimism. the academy’s unique environment, coupled with its innovative training model, creates a fertile ground for talent to flourish.As Shuai Zhengxue aptly states,”We believe that under the tennis atmosphere in Jingshan and the school’s optimization model,talents will always emerge.”
From Village courts too Global Stage: China’s Tennis Revolution
Welcome, sports enthusiasts, to this captivating discussion on China’s burgeoning tennis phenomenon. Today, we delve into the remarkable transformation sweeping across rural China, where tennis courts are replacing traditional village squares and serving as catalysts for social, economic, and athletic advancement.
The narrative revolves around two unassuming towns – Jingshan City in Hubei Province and Wuning County in Jiangxi Province. These unlikely trailblazers are defying stereotypes by dismantling the perception of tennis as an elite sport, rather weaving it into the very fabric of their communities.
Jingshan, home to the aptly nicknamed “No. 1 Tennis Village in China,” boasts a staggering 80 courts, offering a gripping testament to the sport’s widespread appeal. Imagine cattle farmers trading their pitchforks for rackets alongside entrepreneurs and retirees. This heartwarming tableau challenges preconceived notions of tennis as an exclusive pastime, showcasing its remarkable ability to transcend social boundaries.
The accessibility of tennis in Jingshan is truly remarkable. With over 340 courts and an extraordinary ratio of 5.67 courts per 10,000 people, the town holds the national lead in tennis infrastructure. Free play during daylight hours and minimal night-lighting fees ensure financial accessibility for all income levels, making tennis a truly democratic sport.
Similarly, Wuning County is redefining the sports landscape through its innovative ”tennis into campus” initiative.School campuses are blooming with tennis courts, introducing the sport to the next generation and cultivating a lifelong love for the game.
This grassroots tennis revolution has ignited a passion within communities. Individuals like Peng Jufang, a 62-year-old cattle farmer turned tennis coach in Jingshan, perfectly embody this transformation.
Peng Jufang, a living testament to tennis’s capacity to enrich lives, seamlessly integrates coaching into his daily routine, reflecting the sport’s organic integration into the community’s tapestry.
“Tennis is for everyone,” he declares, echoing the sentiment resonating throughout Jingshan. It’s not merely a sport; it’s a cultural phenomenon, energizing every stratum of society.
Beyond its social impact, this tennis boom is fueling economic reinvigoration in these rural towns.
jingshan ingeniously combines its natural hot springs with the allure of tennis, establishing a unique tourist destination and earning a coveted spot in Hubei Province’s modern service industry clusters.
This strategic approach has propelled Jingshan’s tennis industry to project over 3.5 billion yuan in revenue this year,a 40% surge from the previous year.
Wenfeng Village stands as a prime example, transforming itself into a tennis-themed hub with restaurants, bed and breakfasts, and luxurious hot spring hotels catering to sports enthusiasts seeking recreation and rejuvenation.
This burgeoning industry has generated over 3,000 new job opportunities and attracted a fresh population of 6,000 residents, breathing new life into the local economy.
The Wuning International Tennis Center, another key player in this transformation, has become a magnet for national and international tennis events, hosting tournaments like the National Youth Tennis points Tournament and the ITF International Tennis Masters
Wuning Station. These events have attracted over 70,000 participants and spectators, generating over 300 million yuan in revenue for related industries, showcasing the potent synergy between sports tourism and economic development.
Wuning County isn’t just about attracting enthusiasts; it’s committed to nurturing the next generation of tennis champions.
Their extensive youth development program ensures that every child in the county has access to tennis through campus courts, integrated curriculum, and after-school programs.
Their innovative “school + club” model brings professional coaches directly into schools, fueling a thriving talent pipeline.
The results are astounding, with over 40 athletes achieving provincial and national titles, signifying Wuning’s emergence as a nursery for future tennis stars.
Coaches like Tan Qi emphasize the importance of this school-based identification system,recognizing its ability to unearth hidden talents and provide a platform for young athletes to pursue their dreams.
This remarkable surge in tennis’s popularity paints a compelling picture of rural China’s renaissance. Through a combination of grassroots initiatives,economic ingenuity,and a dedication to youth development,these communities are converting village courts into catalysts for social progress and sporting excellence.
The journey has only just begun, and all eyes are on Jingshan and Wuning County as they continue to inspire a nation and reshape the global landscape of tennis.
