On the 19th, Lorenzo Musetti, the top seed at the ATP Chengdu Open and bronze medalist in men’s singles at the Paris Olympics, along with other participating players, took advantage of their break from matches to visit the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding. The adorable and round national treasures captured the hearts of many players.
Musetti, Italy’s tennis “number one,” is 22 years old and won the 2019 Australian Open junior title. Last year, he defeated Novak Djokovic at the Monte Carlo Masters and recently secured the men’s singles bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
Musetti first visited the Chengdu Research Base during the ITF Junior Masters in 2018. “It has changed so much since my visit six years ago,” he said. “They’ve built new enclosures for the giant pandas, and there are more indoor activity spaces with air conditioning, providing a much better living environment for them. Coming back to see this really makes me happy and excited.”
For foreign players, seeing giant pandas in person adds extra allure to their decision to compete in Chengdu amid numerous global tournaments. When asked what qualities of pandas attracted him, Musetti remarked, “I see them sitting and lying around in their enclosures, and it always gives me a relaxed feeling. Additionally, their fluffy appearance and adorable facial expressions really captivate me.”
Alongside Musetti, the tournament’s fourth seed, Spanish player Pedro Martínez, also visited the Chengdu Research Base. He frequently took out his phone to film videos of the pandas eating bamboo and chatted excitedly with friends nearby.
“It’s a rare experience to see giant pandas in person, especially during a tournament,” Martínez told reporters. “They are incredibly cute! After seeing both adult and baby pandas, I think I prefer the babies because they are so much more lively!”