Xinhua News Agency, Melbourne, January 18th: The future of Chinese men’s tennis can be expected
Xinhua News Agency reporter Hao Yalin Wei Hua
In the 2023 Australian Open match on the 18th, the 17-year-old Chinese teenager Shang Chengcheng lost 4:6, 4:6, 1:6 to the No. 16 seed American player Tiaf, and stopped in the second round of the men’s singles.
After the end of the game, the three mainland Chinese men’s tennis players who competed in this year’s Australian Open also all ended their journey in the men’s singles arena. Wu Yibing lost to French player Mu Tai, and Zhang Zhizhen lost to American player Sheldon, both regretted that they stopped in the first round.
Although it failed to go further, the collective appearance of the Chinese men’s tennis team has created history. This is the first time since the era of the Open (1968) that three male players from mainland China have entered the Grand Slam men’s singles together. It is also the first time in the history of the Internet for more than 100 years.
“It is encouraging to have three Chinese men’s tennis players enter the Grand Slam together, and it will also have a good role in promoting the development of Chinese tennis, but I am not very surprised by this. It should be said , This day should have come long ago, after all, there has been so much accumulation before.” “New York Times” senior tennis reporter Chris told reporters.
Pan Bing, Wu Di, Zhang Ze, Li Zhe… Chinese men’s tennis players have never stopped marching towards the highest level in the world. Last year can be called a historic year for Chinese men’s tennis.
Zhang Zhizhen became the first male tennis player from mainland China to enter the top 100 in the world. After overcoming injuries and returning to the tour, Wu Yibing rose from the world ranking of 1,100 to a career-high 113 within a year, and was listed as the best comeback player of the year by the Men’s Professional Tennis Association (ATP) One, his achievement of reaching the third round at the US Open also created the best record of a Chinese mainland male player in the Grand Slam. Shang Juncheng not only won his first ATP Challenger Championship, but also became the youngest male tennis player among the top 200 in the world.
In this year’s Australian Open men’s singles, their performance is also remarkable. Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen faced opponents who were ranked higher than themselves, both played five sets, and the scores were very close. Zhang Zhizhen once held the match point and almost achieved his personal breakthrough in the Grand Slam.
Shang Juncheng defeated the German player Ott, who was ranked more than 100 higher than himself, in the first round, setting the best record for a male player from mainland China at the Australian Open, and becoming the youngest player to reach the second round of a Grand Slam men’s singles one of the players.
“He plays very smartly, changing his style of play frequently to avoid giving opponents a constant rhythm. He is impressive at full power, especially the quick forehand attack is very controlled.” “New York Times” report evaluator Cheng Cheng said.
In an interview with reporters after the game, Tiaf also joked that Shang Chengcheng “will make other players find it difficult in the future.” “He’s special, he’s just 17 years old and can move and hit the ball like that, he’s got a strong forehand and he can hit the ball really well on the run,” Tiafoe said.
Of course, compared with the world’s top players, there is still a big gap between Chinese men’s tennis players in terms of serving quality, key ball handling, and opportunity grasping. As they all mentioned in interviews after the game, Conquering the Grand Slam is also a learning process, and I still have a lot to improve.
Saying goodbye to the men’s singles arena, the three players will start a new journey. Zhang Zhizhen will partner with Han Xinyun to participate in the mixed doubles competition. Wu Yibing will participate in some other events and prepare for the French Open. Shang Juncheng, who just turned professional the year before last, said that he does not have high expectations for the new season. a match.
They also believe that their experience can inspire more young Chinese players. “I believe that more and better Chinese players will come to the Grand Slam in the future. Seeing our breakthrough, they will have more confidence. Maybe the next generation of players will not think about breaking through the top 100, but higher The goal is greater achievement.” Wu Yibing said.
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责编：刘希尧 ]
