For the first time in China Open history, the men’s and women’s singles champions are being granted a seat of honor in a “jiaoyi,” a Chinese folding horseshoe-back armchair. In Chinese history, the Imperial family and other influential individuals used this kind of rare wooden chair to convey their high rank in society. Today, the contemporary version of these chairs project status and are reserved for the most powerful and honored person in a public room. Carlos Alcaraz already had the distinction of sitting in one of the chairs after winning the men’s title on Wednesday. Another honorary sitting in a similar chair awaits the women’s singles champion, either No. 4 seed Coco Gauff or Karolina Muchova. #2024ChinaOpen #AllForPassion