Professional Tennis Enters the “Chinese Season”: Shang Juncheng on Making History

September 17, 2024

On September 16, Shang Juncheng, a Chinese tennis player born in 2005, was interviewed by the media in Chengdu. Photo by Wang Lei, a reporter from China News Service

[Chengdu, China News Service] As the US Open came to an end on September 9th, Beijing time, the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments in 2024 have all concluded. The ATP Chengdu Open and ATP Hangzhou Open, which will kick off on September 17th, will mark the beginning of the “China Season” of professional tennis.

At the ATP Chengdu Open draw ceremony on September 16th, Shang Juncheng, who recently entered the top 32 at the US Open, expressed his excitement about the upcoming tournament. With a current world ranking of top 70, the 19-year-old has made significant breakthroughs in the professional arena this year, including becoming the first male player from mainland China to win the Wimbledon main draw.

When asked about his recent success, Shang Juncheng shared that he initially felt a lot of pressure when entering the professional arena. However, over the past year, he has learned to relax and focus on his progress rather than just winning or losing. “I don’t think winning or losing is so important, which is the most important part of my progress,” he said.

Shang Juncheng’s achievements are a testament to the growth of professional tennis in mainland China. In recent years, Chinese players have made significant strides in the sport, with 11 players qualifying for the US Open this year. Buyun Chaoket, a young Mongolian player from Xinjiang, became the fourth mainland male singles player to appear in the main draw of a Grand Slam.

Shang Juncheng hopes to continue making history and inspiring young tennis players in China. “I hope that one day I can represent China in the Olympics and stand on the Olympic podium. This will be a great encouragement to all the children who learn tennis. It’s very cool,” he said.

With tennis gaining popularity in China, Shang Juncheng encourages young players to truly love the sport and not put too much pressure on themselves. “I hope they will relax and fight,” he said.

As the “China Season” of professional tennis kicks off, Shang Juncheng is ready to give 100% effort and enjoy every point of the ATP Chengdu Open.