Tennis In Beijing: Where to Get In on the Action
Wimbledon means two weeks of tennis and a chance to see how far Li Na gets (turns out, just the second round) or how long before she loses her husband. With this wet, dreary weather making us feel like we’re in England, we thought we’d stick with that theme and seek out some suitable spots to watch the matches or pull out a racquet ourselves.
With all the action available on CCTV, there’s no need to find a bar, but if you want to throw back some pints between sets in a pub that enhances the mood, check out Little Britain or the Swan With Two Necks for the UK pub vibe.
If the grunts and shouts inspire you to search for a game, you’ve got several options in Beijing. You can head to the park; both Chaoyang and Si’de Park offer courts by the hour at RMB 200, 240 (weekends) and RMB 80, respectively.
Space at centers around the city is more expensive, but you don’t have to worry about rain, heat or pollution when scheduling court time. The Beijing International Club has two courts with rates from RMB 120-200/hr, depending on day and time. The International Tennis Center rents space at RMB 300, RMB 100 (members) and for a cheaper option Sino-Japanese Youth Exchange Center has outdoor courts at RMB 70, RMB 90 (weekends). If you’re looking for a match and not just the court, join up with the Beijing Tennis Club.
Now you just need to get the look, whether it's just a racquet or you plan on showing up decked out in tennis whites. Either way, Decathlon has everything you need, and at a reasonable cost. Their stores aren't the most centrally located, though, and if you're in a rush, certain branches of Wal-Mart and Carrefour stock a wide range of sporting gear.