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China Open winners to have China-style trophies
By Guan Xiaomeng (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-09-15 17:44 Tennis players winning in China will be presented with new trophies in Chinese classical style vividly embodying the elements of Chinese historical relics in the up-coming China Open in early October. The organizer last Friday unveiled this year's trophies named the "China Cup", saying the Chinese-flavored trophies would be a cultural mark of China and Beijing. Unlike the previous five sessions, this year's Open will reward both the winners and runner-ups. Designed and created by Chinese artifacts experts and gold artisans, the trophies take the archetypes of national treasure relics from the Palace Museum and National Museum in terms of both materials and craftsmanship. The women's singles trophy takes the shape of a bronze Ding named Zilong from the National Museum. Ding, in Chinese culture, is a noble ritual bronze article representing power; and in Chinese language, it means prosperity and climax, conveying good wishes to New China's 60th anniversary falling on October 1st. It has phoenix and lucky cloud designs on the surface, meaning female power.
Having been upgraded this year to a top-tier tournament in Asia, the 10-day sixth annual China Open will host a large group of grand slam stars in the Beijing Olympic tennis court on Olympic Green.
The women's top seeds include the Williams sisters, Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva who will be vying for the Zilong Ding, making the China Open women's competition a "crown jewel" of the tournament. The revamped China Open is expected by the organizer to plant tennis, the Olympics and sport more deeply in the country.
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