It was a historic 2022 for Chinese males’s tennis, and the nation’s stars are displaying no indicators of slowing down. When Shang Juncheng certified for the Australian Open on Friday, the 17-year-old ensured extra nationwide historical past can be made.
Shang, Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen are the primary male Chinese trio to compete in a Grand Slam males’s singles draw within the Open Era (since 1968) and the primary in all of Australian Open historical past (since 1905).
“Those two are inspirations for me. They’re like older brothers and I feel they’re doing very well for Chinese males’s tennis,” Shang advised ATPTour.com. “They’ve impressed me quite a bit they usually’ve been on the Tour longer than me, so it’s at all times good expertise practising with them, speaking to them, and I want all of them one of the best for this upcoming Australian Open.”
In September 2021, Shang had but to earn a Pepperstone ATP Ranking level. Now the Chinese star is contained in the world’s Top 200. ‘Jerry’ is the youngest Grand Slam males’s qualifier since 17-year-old Carlos Alcaraz on the 2021 Australian Open.
“I’m tremendous excited to be right here and I don’t suppose it’s a shock for me. It’s clearly not within the calendar that I’ll be taking part in the primary draw of the Australian Open after I’m 17 years previous,” stated Shang, who’s being coached by Dante Bottini, the previous coach of Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov. “I’m simply very excited for this chance to have the ability to play qualifying and have the prospect to qualify. I’m very excited for what’s coming subsequent.”
Shang Juncheng and his crew at apply in Melbourne. Photo Credit: Dante Bottini
The teen, who claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour title final yr, is pleased along with his accomplishment, however desirous to proceed his climb.
“For me proper now every thing is about studying. I’m simply making an attempt to get pleasure from each second on the court docket,” Shang stated. “Every level is a chance for me to enhance, so I simply hope I can attempt my finest and do my finest to win.”
While Shang efficiently certified for a serious on his first try, Wu and Zhang each competed in final yr’s US Open important draw. Wu is pleased to see his countrymen within the area.
“I feel in addition they have their possibilities. Little Jerry had an excellent spherical in qualies right here in Australia and hopefully he can maintain going and present the world how Chinese younger males are,” Wu stated. “And for Zhizhen, we have now identified one another for a very long time and he’s received his weapons, however his opponent shouldn’t be a simple one… it’s going to be an excellent match and hopefully these guys can get pleasure from taking part in right here.”
Zhang, who final yr grew to become the primary Chinese man to crack the world’s Top 100, will play within the Australian Open important draw for the primary time and attempt to safe his maiden victory at a Grand Slam.
“I want I can win the primary spherical and attempt to break my Grand Slam first win and likewise want the opposite two good luck,” he stated.
First-Round Matchups
– Juncheng Shang vs. Oscar Otte
– Zhang Zhizhen vs. Ben Shelton
– Wu Yibing vs. Corentin Moutet