Embarrassingly small crowds in Shanghai

[Shangri La]

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

This is an interesting topic. I am a local Chinese staying in Shanghai. Yes, I have to say it is a small crowd of audience for this master tournament. I got the same feeling as I watch TV.

But I don't think ticket price is an issue. With only RMB160, you get to enter all the courts including the center one, without limits for entry. A lot of people earn more than RMB5000 a month by doing normal office work. Anyone reckons the ticket expensive?

The major problem should be the location. The stadium is crazily far away from the downtown. You have to drive 1 hour or even longer to just arrive at the stadium. People just took a whole week National Day Holiday for last week, and just got back to work since this Mon. Not many people got the energy to drive far away fighting through all the terrible traffic to watch the match. Isn't it more relaxed to just stay home and watch TV?

Btw, I did go to the stadium to watch the 1st day match last Sun, when it was still the holiday. I guess you will see much bigger crowd in late this week when the tournament goes to semifinals.

Thanks for the comments with firsthand info and real substances, something this thread needs badly. Really appreciate it. Too bad timing of the Masters (and previously the Masters Cup) doesnt work with my annual vacation time in Shanghai. Otherwise I'd love to spend a week at the stadium and enjoy some world-class tennis. That and Formula 1 Shanghai!

[Darkmoon]

Originally Posted by Shangri La

Thanks for the comments with firsthand info and real substances, something this thread needs badly. Really appreciate it. Too bad timing of the Masters (and previously the Masters Cup) doesnt work with my annual vacation time in Shanghai. Otherwise I'd love to spend a week at the stadium and enjoy some world-class tennis. That and Formula 1 Shanghai!

Yes, China Open in Beijing took advantage of timing as it was within the 8 day holiday. F1, as I remember is on weekend. Have been there once, not a big fan of that.

[Darkmoon]

Originally Posted by syke

It's funny seeing so many British colonial Hong Kong flags during the occasional street protests. A real slap in the face for the Chinese communist party.

Maybe HK shouldn't have been returned to the Chinese. Independence could possibly be a better option.

Blame it on the pommies..

HK is never getting back to what it was before 1997. No doubt of it. China is taking down HK from every angle.

[Carsomyr]

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

This is an interesting topic. I am a local Chinese staying in Shanghai. Yes, I have to say it is a small crowd of audience for this master tournament. I got the same feeling as I watch TV.

But I don't think ticket price is an issue. With only RMB160, you get to enter all the courts including the center one, without limits for entry. A lot of people earn more than RMB5000 a month by doing normal office work. Anyone reckons the ticket expensive?

The major problem should be the location. The stadium is crazily far away from the downtown. You have to drive 1 hour or even longer to just arrive at the stadium. People just took a whole week National Day Holiday for last week, and just got back to work since this Mon. Not many people got the energy to drive far away fighting through all the terrible traffic to watch the match. Isn't it more relaxed to just stay home and watch TV?

Btw, I did go to the stadium to watch the 1st day match last Sun, when it was still the holiday. I guess you will see much bigger crowd in late this week when the tournament goes to semifinals.

Yes, someone else suggested something similar last year.

[syke]

Originally Posted by Darkmoon

HK is never getting back to what it was before 1997. No doubt of it. China is taking down HK from every angle.

Too aggressive on your parting shot... this is exactly what the HKers deplore.

[citybert]

What is all this talk of the 12 Million junior players in China with many being in the Top 10 in 10 years. Is this real or is this like the US's project 2010(back in 1998 ) where they would win the World Cup in 2010.

[Manaldo]

Most people love STARs more than games. See the game and training of Fed, Murray and Djoko, tonight's roger vs. Stan game, certer court is all packed. We have enough audience loving tennis and stars.
The traffic and timing are reasons too, no subway going there I remember, at least last year, if you drive there, you may have to walk a mile from the parking area to the stadium because there are ALL cars.
And how can you ask your boss for extra holiday after 8 national holidays?

[TMF]

The night session(prime time) isn't that bad. I saw Fed/Wawrinka's match and there's respectable numbers and they were noises. Unlike last year it was so many empty seat and dead silence.

Hopefully attendance will continue to grow over the year.