Zhu Zhenzhen: Chinese language Athlete Makes Historical past at French Open Wheelchair Tennis

　He gained second place for the French Open wheelchair tennis ladies’s singles

Zhu Zhenzhen: Making ready for the Paralympics and competing for the competitors

Reporter Zhuo Ran

On June 8, within the 2024 French Open wheelchair tennis ladies’s singles closing, Chinese language participant Zhu Zhenzhen gained second place, creating the very best singles consequence for a Chinese language athlete in a wheelchair tennis Grand Slam occasion .

On the lately held “Web Transferring China and France” cultural exhibition, Zhu Zhenzhen, who returned with nice honor, was interviewed by reporters. She mentioned she didn’t count on to be acknowledged by so many individuals. Subsequent, she’s going to put together totally for Wimbledon and the Paris Paralympics, with the goal of constant to create historical past.

Enjoying tennis due to encouragement from my seniors

Zhu Zhenzhen was born in Liaocheng, Shandong Province. She misplaced the power to stroll on account of sickness as a toddler. Whereas finding out at college, the vigorous and lively Zhu Zhenzhen met a senior, and his phrases helped her open the door to the world of sports activities.

“This senior individual concerned in disabled sports activities instructed me that if I wish to be an athlete sooner or later, I have to do energy coaching first. day-after-day, ready for the collection of the divisional group.” She mentioned, this can be a two 12 months wait.

On the age of 17, Zhu Zhenzhen got here into contact with wheelchair tennis, and later moved from the regional group to the nationwide group. She mentioned that if she desires to play wheelchair tennis properly, she should first management the wheelchair as flexibly as her personal legs. Second, this sport checks athletes’ endurance. Through the years, whether or not it is windy, sunny or freezing, Zhu Zhenzhen has been coaching open air nearly day-after-day. -every day, and her pores and skin has been skinny and frozen.

On the 2024 French Open, Zhu Zhenzhen handed all of the checks and at last reached the ultimate. Within the duel with the event’s prime seed and Tokyo Paralympic champion De Hrot, Zhu Zhenzhen nearly misplaced her opponent 1-2. However this second place award is already the very best consequence for a Chinese language athlete in a wheelchair tennis Grand Slam occasion.

Going overseas alone to compete is the toughest factor

In Zhu Zhenzhen’s combating expertise, she has created so much for Chinese language wheelchair tennis gamers. In 2019, she took the courageous step of competing on the World Professional Tour. On the 2020 Australian Open, Zhu Zhenzhen grew to become the primary Chinese language wheelchair tennis participant to take part in a Grand Slam and reached the semifinals. In 2023, Zhu Zhenzhen achieved her objective of enjoying all 4 majors in a single 12 months.

Zhu Zhenzhen believes that the largest downside she’s going to encounter will not be pushing a wheelchair with one hand and enjoying tennis with the opposite, however touring overseas to compete alone. And not using a long-term and steady safety group, you have to depend on your self to supply meals, clothes, housing and transportation.

“Once I first began going overseas to take part in competitions, as soon as after getting off the airplane, I discovered {that a} small wheel on the again of my wheelchair fell off. I used to be “Feeling slightly damaged on the time. Later, once I obtained to the competitors discipline, I fastened it with the assistance of different coaches, and at last participated efficiently.” Zhu Zhenzhen She mentioned that repeated coaching has tremendously elevated her potential to resolve issues. At present, Zhu Zhenzhen travels overseas to take part in additional than 20 competitions yearly. When it comes to gear, she already has sponsors, however remains to be in search of extra monetary assist.

With these issues in entrance of you, why do you continue to wish to go overseas to compete? Zhu Zhenzhen mentioned, due to accountability. “I need the world to see the progress of Chinese language athletes in wheelchair tennis, and I hope that future Chinese language wheelchair tennis gamers will obtain extra assist and assist.”

The facility to maneuver ahead comes from studying

When she interviewed Zhu Zhenzhen, she spoke calmly.

35-year-old Zhu Zhenzhen mentioned that she has not performed sufficient but, and that she nonetheless wants to remain on the court docket and luxuriate in tennis. “I prefer to be taught from different folks. I believe that everybody has benefits, after which I examine myself to see if there’s room for enchancment. That is very true on the sphere. The energy for me to maneuver ahead comes from everybody round me,” she mentioned. Clarify.

In a couple of days, Zhu Zhenzhen will go to the UK to take part within the grass court docket season tour and the Wimbledon 2024. She’s going to then return to China to arrange for the Paris Paralympics with the nationwide group, aiming to win the event.

“My present shortcomings are totally on a technical stage, so I’ve to coach onerous day-after-day, attempt to innovate and progress, and attempt to obtain good outcomes on the Paralympics in Paris, mentioned Zhu Zhenzhen.

(Beijing Every day)