Time now to put on my luminous mankini and head to the China Open. It's all above board, as organizers have enlisted "Miss Bikini" contestants from around the world to promote the country's biggest tennis event in Beijing. They hope the use of bikini clad models will help draw a larger, bigger and younger audience to the tournament.

15 "Miss Bikini International" contestants gathered at the Olympic Tennis Center as part of a promotion stunt by the tournament, which begins in September this year.

Many of the participants admitted to being visitors in China for the first time and are liking what they see.

Miss Bikini Australia Kasey Lee Brunker said, "I'm very happy to be here in Beijing, and to be here at the tennis courts where the China Open is, I'm very excited."

The Miss Bikini contestants spent the morning inside the 13 thousand seat center court stadium built for the 2008 Olympics. They joined some local models in a few games of tennis.

It is unlikely to be popular in all quarters, but organizers say the event is expected to attract a younger audience.

Chi Peng, Marketing director of China Open, said, "We hope that the China Open becomes more entertaining and more stylish, therefore we invited the Miss Bikini contestants to our tennis courts to promote the idea of a fashionable China Open tournament. We believe that this kind of activity will attract more young people who like fashion to come to the tennis court and watch the China Open."

The girls will travel to the tropical resort of Sanya, on the southern top of the island province of Hainan, where the "Miss Bikini competition" is being staged later this month.

Go to Forum >>0 Comments