Tennis players require public encouragement, too, besides the numbers. No matter how talented a player is, if the matches are not recognized, it is a loss for the sports community. Athletes stretch their capacity to the maximum when the crowd cheers for them. The All England Club canceled the Wimbledon Championships in 2020 so that players don’t need to sweat it out in empty stadiums. The China Open has resumed after 2020 so that champions and audiences can find mutual entertainment. So, crowd support matters even more when champions like Iga Swiatek are playing the tournament for the first time in their career.

Despite being a multiple Grand Slam champion, Swiatek did not experience the crowd in Beijing. The Pole has issued an emotional plea to the audience on behalf of all players, and it moved the hearts of many.

Iga Swiatek requests the Beijing crowd for their support

The former World No.1 has regained her form in the China Open. The Pole has won four consecutive matches to reach the semi-final in Beijing. In the quarter-finals, Swiatek defeated Caroline Garcia in three tough sets. The match lasted over two hours, and the first two sets witnessed fierce competition between the Pole and femme Francaise.

In the deciding set, Swiatek dominated from the first game and surpassed the 2017 Beijing champion to reach the semis. After her win, the Pole was asked if she had anything to say to the crowd, given the upcoming big day on 7th October. Swiatek took the opportunity to appeal to the masses, pointing out the empty seats.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion said, “Please come to our matches. We still have a lot of empty seats. Let?s try to fill them out. We?ll do our best to give the best show possible. Thank you for watching. Thank you for all the support all week.”?The crowd’s attendance increased significantly compared to the initial matches.

The tennis professionals are in dire need of spectators, as the ATP matches witnessed the least attendance. After Jannik Sinner claimed his first WTA 1000 trophy in Beijing, Daniil Medvedev quipped that he could not even find their wives in the stadium. While this is a hilarious dig, the World No.1’s fans ripped Carlos Alcaraz apart, targeting the almost empty stadium in his match.

READ MORE: WTA?s ?Disgusting Behavior? Exposed as Tennis Fans Run Riot Over Brutal Elena Rybakina Snub at the China Open

Novak Djokovic fans blamed the Spaniard for empty seats

The young Spaniard prevailed in straight sets in the pre-quarter-final clash against Lorenzo Musetti. But there are only a handful of spectators to witness Alcaraz’s magic. After his win, a Novak Djokovic fan ridiculed the two-time Grand Slam champion for his fan following. The netizen alleged that the World No. 2 does not enjoy a fan following outside Europe and America.

https://twitter.com/bishalc004/status/1708495965538402512?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Netizens taunted that despite being one of the most populous countries, with one billion people, Alcaraz’s match mattered to none. The tennis community could use Swiatek’s much-needed plea to attract spectators. The Pole shall play the US Open champion Coco Gauff, in the semi-final.

Gauff recently surpassed Swiatek’s winning streak, and last they played, the American triumphed against the Pole. Though the women’s World No.2 boasts more wins in the head-to-head, Gauff is in the best form of her career. Who do you think shall prevail in the semis? The indomitable American or the hungry Pole? Let us know in the comments.

WATCH THIS STORY | ‘What A Class Act’ – Serena Williams Sends Love As Roger Federer Hangs His Tennis Racket