BEIJING, June 1 (Xinhua) -- As the 2026 French Open captivates tennis fans worldwide, the Phase II Tennis Center at Beijing Wenyu River Park officially opened to the public, adding a premier venue to the capital's sports landscape.
The newly completed tennis complex features a center court and 25 professional hard courts. Notably, it also boasts six high-quality clay courts, further diversifying the options for local tennis enthusiasts.
According to Li Yetan, deputy general manager of Orange Lion Sports, the venue's operating agency, clay courts require strict environmental conditions and come with relatively high construction and maintenance costs. Due to the arid climate of northern China and these high operational costs, clay courts remain rare in Beijing and across the wider northern region.
The Wenyu River Tennis Center's six high-standard clay courts make it one of the largest clay-court clusters in Beijing. The facility utilizes imported clay to recreate a playing texture that rivals top-tier international venues.
"Compared to hard courts, clay courts slow down the ball, produce higher bounces, and generate more spin. These characteristics require players to master sliding techniques and demonstrate greater tactical patience," Li said.
Li added that the addition of clay courts will provide diverse training options for professional and youth teams, helping players better prepare for international clay-court tournaments. The facility is also expected to become a new hotspot for sports consumption among Beijing's tennis community.
In a move to embrace sports technology, all 32 courts at the Wenyu River Tennis Center will gradually be equipped with the Smartshot system and a smart stadium operating system. The technology will support features such as AI-generated highlight reels and automated match scoring, continuously upgrading the experience for recreational players. ■
