Tennis player Kasatkina seeks good luck at historic Ningbo guildhall

Daria Kasatkina poses for a photo in front of the Qing'an Guildhall. [Photo/Yongpai App]

Daria Kasatkina, the 2024 Ningbo Open women's singles champion, visited the historic Qing'an Guildhall in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, on Oct 18 as part of the 2026 Ningbo Open's cultural activities for players.

On her first visit to the guildhall, a major cultural heritage site protected at the national level dating back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), she was captivated by its traditional architecture, calling the place "super authentic" and saying it matched her image of China.

One detail in particular caught her attention: carvings of gold ingots on stone pillars brought from Fujian province. She rubbed the carvings for a while, hoping for some good luck.

Kasatkina says the 2024 Ningbo Open trophy still holds a special place in her home, adding that the people and places she encountered here left her with wonderful memories.

Returning on a wild card after a challenging, injury-plagued year, Kasatkina said her priority was rebuilding confidence through competition rather than setting specific targets.

She was also touched to learn that fans had bought tickets to watch her return. Their support, she said, gave her great encouragement, and she looked forward to repaying their affection with her performances on court.