Sports club Suzhou Shishan opens China’s first pickleball court. Online sales of pickleball equipment in China spike to $1.2 million monthly. The rise in pickleball reflects China’s shift toward active lifestyles. Interest in tennis and pickleball accelerates in China, with a growing number of locals playing and watching professional games.
The inaugural PPA Tour Asia includes matches in Japan, Malaysia, and Vietnam. Hong Kong Open attracts a large crowd to watch pickleball matches. Jack Wong and Roos van Reek win men’s and women’s singles championships. Pickleball surges in popularity in the U.S. as the fastest-growing sport for four years.
Pickleball’s growth in China poses business challenges. Local businesses are building courts for profit due to limited neighborhood spaces. Pickleball tournaments in China are systemized by the national Chinese Tennis Association. Suzhou Pickleball Association encourages students to play by repurposing school facilities.
Navigating China’s market can be difficult for foreign businesses due to language barriers and unique ecosystems. Consumer spending on sports in China rises amid subdued retail sales. McKinsey predicts a pickup in consumption as consumer spending becomes detached from depressed sentiment. Life in China is moving forward despite economic challenges. 1. The United States surpasses 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses administered, marking a significant milestone in the fight against the pandemic. The vaccination effort continues to ramp up, with increasing numbers of Americans receiving their shots.
2. In a major breakthrough, scientists develop a new type of COVID-19 vaccine that has shown promising results in early trials. The vaccine, which utilizes a different technology than existing options, could potentially provide additional protection against the virus.
3. The stock market experiences a sharp decline as concerns over rising inflation rates and potential interest rate hikes weigh on investor sentiment. Tech stocks are particularly hard hit, leading to a volatile trading day on Wall Street.
4. A new study reveals that remote work has led to increased productivity for many employees, with the majority of workers reporting higher levels of job satisfaction and work-life balance. Companies are now considering permanent remote work options for their staff.
5. The European Union announces plans to implement a digital vaccine passport system, allowing citizens to travel freely within the bloc if they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. The move is seen as a step towards reopening borders and revitalizing the tourism industry.
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1. Apple announces new iPhone 13 with improved camera and battery life. The tech giant also unveiled new Apple Watch Series 7 and updated iPads during its annual product event.
2. Federal Reserve plans to begin tapering its monthly bond purchases by the end of the year. Chair Jerome Powell indicates potential interest rate hikes in 2022 as the economy recovers.
3. Tesla CEO Elon Musk teases potential robotaxi service next year. Musk also announces plans to open the company’s Supercharger network to other EVs in the future.: Pickleball is just getting started in China