What's the clue of make ATP/WTA events in China? Empty stadiums?

[THESEXPISTOL]

I understand that Asia has a lot of tennis fans..
But everytime i see a tournament in China the stadiums are empty..
Last week i saw WTA and they were empty, today i'm watching Simon/Troicki and the only people watching the match are the staff of the tournament. Ok, i understand that Nadal/Blake was happening, but this is very depriment..

 

[sureshs]

I don't know - maybe you didn't watch at the right times? Maybe the stadiums are really big? Maybe people watch on TV?

The ATP and WTA (and every other organization and corporation in the world) are not rushing to China to sample authentic Chinese food. In the not-so-distant future, China will be the largest economy in the world.

 

[bjk]

And the prize purses are really big too, which means that the tournament ain't cheap. I'm pretty sure the Chinese lose a ton of money on the tournament . . . but they're willing to put up with it to fill all the Olympics stadiums and for the prestige. And the ATP gets to say it's building a market in China . . . the only way to build tennis in China is with a Chinese star in the top 20, but the ATP has no control over that.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

The fans during the Safin/Berdych match were downright disrespectful...cheering Berdych UEs, and then when Berdych won they didn't cheer him...I know it's Safin's farewell tour, but you're supposed to show respect for the winner.

 

[BobFL]

Well, like my friend said once: Some countries are just not good enough for tennis and Puccini's operas...