As the 2025 China Open continues to unfold in Beijing, the tennis world has its eyes fixed on a string of compelling narratives—none more captivating than Iga Swiatek’s commanding run and her refreshing approach to cultural exchange. The World No. 2, fresh off a title in Seoul, has powered through the early rounds with a blend of clinical precision and heartfelt appreciation for her global fanbase, all while making WTA Tour history and setting a new standard for sportsmanship amid controversy.
Swiatek’s second-round victory over local favorite Yue Yuan was nothing short of dominant. The Polish star breezed through with a 6-0, 6-3 win, advancing to the third round and notching her 25th or more WTA-1000 win for a third consecutive season—a feat never before achieved on the women’s tour. According to the WTA, this remarkable consistency cements Swiatek’s place among the sport’s elite, and her six Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Opens and a U.S. Open, only strengthen her legacy.
Yet, it’s not just the numbers that have set Swiatek apart in Beijing. In a press conference following her win, she was asked about the reception she’s received from Chinese fans. Rather than sidestepping the question or focusing on the pressures of competition, Swiatek shared a story that spoke volumes about the power of cultural connection in tennis. “I don’t know if we’re talking about the same thing. Yeah, I got like a book with drawings. It was like a comic book. It was beautiful. People are really talented,” she explained, her smile genuine and her gratitude unmistakable. This wasn’t a one-off, either. Swiatek recalled her first trip to China two years ago, when she was similarly overwhelmed by the creativity and kindness of local supporters. “I was shocked two years ago when I came here and I got gifts like that because I never experienced that before. Now it’s even more, I would say. People are really thankful and grateful for us coming and playing, sometimes inspiring them. Yeah, it’s something for sure that will motivate us, as well. It’s great,” she said, highlighting the cultural bridge tennis creates between athletes and fans.
Swiatek’s remarks have resonated particularly strongly this week, given the tense backdrop created by comments from fellow professionals Taylor Townsend and Lorenzo Musetti. Townsend, an American, faced fierce backlash on Chinese social media after mocking local cuisine at the Billie Jean King Cup welcome banquet. The resulting outrage forced her to issue a public apology and withdraw from both the China Open and the Wuhan Open, missing out on crucial late-season opportunities. Meanwhile, Musetti came under fire for allegedly making derogatory remarks about fans coughing during his matches, further souring the atmosphere. Against this storm, Swiatek’s warmth and humility have been a breath of fresh air, earning her admiration both on and off the court.
“The first match is always good to experience and feel the court. I need to be ready for every match. I am really just trying to learn new skills and focus on improving my game,” Swiatek told reporters after her opening win, underscoring her focus on growth even as she racks up victories. Her opponent, Yuan, acknowledged the challenge, saying, “It was too loud in my mind, but I felt much better in the second set. I told myself, if you miss a ball, just miss a ball, not because she (Swiatek) is the top seed, or she plays great, just focus on what it actually is.”
Swiatek’s next challenge comes in the form of Camila Osorio, with the two set to face off in the round of 32 on Sunday night. According to Dimers.com, Swiatek enters the match as the overwhelming favorite, with a 94% win probability based on 10,000 simulations and betting odds heavily in her favor at -2500. The match is scheduled for 11:00 PM Eastern Time, and fans and analysts alike are eager to see if Swiatek can maintain her momentum and continue her march toward another deep run in a WTA-1000 event.
The China Open has not been short on drama elsewhere, either. On the men’s side, top-seeded Jannik Sinner battled through a tough three-setter to defeat French qualifier Terence Atmane 6-4, 5-7, 6-0, advancing to the quarterfinals. Sinner, who just weeks ago was runner-up at the U.S. Open, praised his opponent’s resilience and spoke candidly about the shifting momentum during the match. “It was a very difficult challenge today. He (Atmane) for sure carried a lot of confidence in the third set. I managed to play a great first game to break him, which then gave me the confidence to somehow manage the set. After the double break, it was a bit different. The atmosphere went done,” Sinner reflected.
Chinese tennis fans have also had reason to cheer, as home favorite and Paris Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen made a triumphant return from elbow surgery, defeating Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-2 to reach the women’s singles third round. Zheng, still working her way back to full fitness, described her recovery as a period of learning and growth. “The recovery process was very long. I learned Spanish, read books, and took classes. I felt relaxed without pressure from matches. I received many encouraging words from our fans,” she said. “China Open wasn’t in our plan, because I wasn’t at 100 percent. But of course, I miss the competitions and everyone here on the court. I just enjoy again playing tennis in a big stadium.” She will next face Linda Noskova, who overcame Wang Xiyu in straight sets.
The doubles competitions have provided their own share of excitement, with the Russian-Belgian duo Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens defeating Tang Qianhui and Wang Xiyu in a super tiebreak, while Hsieh Su-Wei and Jelena Ostapenko edged out Chan Hao-Ching and Jiang Xinyu in a nail-biting finish. In men’s doubles, China’s Zhang Zhizhen and Shang Juncheng fell to Manuel Guinard and Guido Andreozzi, 6-3, 7-6(6).
With the tournament’s early rounds now complete, the stage is set for further intrigue. Swiatek, in particular, stands as a beacon of both athletic excellence and cross-cultural respect—a combination that has endeared her to fans in China and beyond. As the action in Beijing heats up, the tennis world will be watching closely to see if Swiatek’s blend of power, poise, and empathy can carry her even deeper into the draw.
For now, the spotlight shines brightly on Swiatek—not just for her on-court dominance, but for her role in reminding everyone that tennis, at its best, is about building bridges as much as breaking serves.
