Coco Gauff Faces Empty 15,000-Seat Stadium While Kicking Off China Open Title Defense

Tennis is a sport of rhythm, adrenaline, and energy-but what happens when the stadium is silent? The defending champion, Coco Gauff, is currently facing this unusual challenge at the China Open, navigating a court devoid of fans. Players at the China Open have always felt the love from enthusiastic tennis lovers, who regularly shower them with unique gifts, such as personalized plush toys, elaborate banners, and dedicated fan art, even for Western players, much to their delight. Speaking on this last year, Gauff said, “Honestly, it’s the place I’ve come [where] I’ve gotten the most gifts.” But where has this love for the defending champ gone?

As Gauff stepped onto the hardcourt in Beijing to play her R64 match against Kamilla Rakhimova, the usual sea of fans was absent this time, leaving behind a cavernous silence that echoes with every bounce of the ball. For many, this might seem like a dream—a chance to play without pressure—but for Gauff, it is now a test of a different kind. The Beijing Olympic Green Tennis Center, built for the 2008 Olympic Games, is the venue for the China Open, and in 2011, the center expanded to 11 courts. It boasts a 15,000-seat stadium with a retractable roof, named the Diamond Court, but this time, there were only a handful of fans inside the stadium. This is pretty unusual!