The “Jin Wei Cup” 2024 ITF International Tennis Masters Tournament MT200 Shanghai Edition Concludes Successfully

From June 3 to 7, the 2024 “Jin Wei Cup” ITF International Tennis Masters Tournament MT200 took place in Shanghai, attracting nearly 400 athletes from 16 countries and regions worldwide to pursue their dreams of becoming masters.
After five days of intense competition and numerous thrilling matches, the event wrapped up on June 7.

The ITF International Tennis Masters Series, established by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) in 2022, builds upon the original ITF Senior Circuit. It offers international rankings and points for participants, appealing especially to young players with its ‘Masters’ title, enhancing inclusivity and attractiveness.

This series consists of five tiers: MT100, MT200, MT400, MT700, and MT1000, with higher tiers granting more points. The tournaments are organized by age categories, starting at 30 years old, with each subsequent group separated by five-year increments, featuring singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

In 2019, the Chinese Tennis Association introduced the ITF Masters to China, and it has since grown into a popular mass-participation tennis event. In 2023, nine stages were held in cities like Shanghai, Wu Ning, Baotou, Wenzhou, Nanchang, Shenzhen, Jiaxing, and Yunnan’s Anning, with a total of 2,000 participants.

This year, the ITF Tennis Masters Series in China featured 23 stages across the country, with a denser layout and diverse venues compared to last year. The Shanghai leg took place at the Penguim Tennis Center in Baoshan District, which is one of the largest tennis facilities in the city, boasting 12 indoor courts. In addition to the “Jin Wei Cup” MT200, Shanghai plans to host its first-ever MT400 event later this year.

Notably, the number of overseas participants who flew in for the Shanghai edition increased from 28 last year to 64 this time, all self-funding their participation, highlighting their passion for the sport.

Judge Jia Wei observed that “the field this year was more extensive, spanning ages 30 to 65, and the level of play has risen, including former professional players.”

Russian-born Yulia, who has been teaching tennis in Ningbo for eight years, said, “I’ve trained over 500 young players a year since I started. I’m now competing in the 30+ women’s singles division after being absent from the scene for 12 years – I’m giving it my best shot again.” Yulia started playing at 10 and had eight years of experience in Australia.

Indonesian Willie Hong remarked that the combination of travel and tennis made the event exciting: “I’ve attended consecutive years in Shanghai. Besides delicious food and scenery, the city boasts a vibrant tennis atmosphere, with high-caliber players. It’s thrilling to compete here.”

On the court, athletes fiercely battled, while off the court, a group of junior players actively engaged. At the Penguim Tennis Center, eight children from ethnic minorities in Lincang, Yunnan, were beneficiaries of a program between Penguim and the Shanghai Wild Elephant Tennis Club. Despite living in remote mountainous areas, their love for tennis and determination were inspiring. Through the club’s systematic training and competitions, they improved their skills, confidence, and teamwork, achieving notable results in various events.

The tournament also included consolation rounds, allowing players who were eliminated early to enjoy additional matches, further showcasing the fun of the sport.