Swiss Tennis Brothers Chase Universiade Dream at Chengdu Universiade
Xinhua News Agency • 2023-08-06 14:14:49
Chengdu, August 6 – Swiss tennis players Henri von der Schulenberg and Jeffrey von der Schulenberg, two brothers with a two-year age difference, are currently pursuing their Universiade dream. In a remarkable display of sibling synergy, the brothers have been practicing tennis together for nearly two decades and have now united on the court for the first time at the Universiade.
Henri, the older brother, is enrolled in applied mathematics and economics at Harvard University, while Jeffrey is studying global security and justice at the University of Virginia. They both share a passion for tennis and have become each other’s strongest allies throughout their athletic journeys. Jeffrey, excitedly looking forward to the possibility of meeting his brother in the final, expressed, “There is nothing more dreamlike than Henry and I facing off for the championship.”
After successfully advancing through the early rounds of the men’s singles competition, the brothers faced contrasting outcomes. While Henry, an unseeded player, surprisingly defeated a higher-ranked opponent, Jeffrey was unable to secure a victory and his aspiration of reaching the final alongside his brother was shattered. However, Jeffrey, seeded at number 10, still has a chance for glory as he competes in the men’s doubles category in addition to men’s singles.
On August 4, the brothers once again coincided in their matches. Henry fought valiantly against a Portuguese player, eventually securing a place in the semi-finals of the men’s singles. In a bittersweet turn of events, Jeffrey and his doubles partner narrowly lost to the Czech team in the men’s doubles semi-final. Nevertheless, according to the Universiade tennis competition system, there will be no bronze medal match, ensuring that both brothers will come away with medals.
Reflecting on the support from his younger brother and fellow teammates, Henry remarked, “Having their presence and unwavering support on the sidelines means the world to me. Competing for our country is a truly honorable endeavor.”
The brothers are also deeply moved by the enthusiasm of the crowd in Chengdu. Jeffrey particularly enjoys the electrifying atmosphere at the Sichuan Tou International Tennis Center and appreciates the applause he receives for his impressive shots. Henry added, “The weather here is scorching, and my match against the Portuguese player lasted for over two hours. It was an arduous game. But playing under the watchful eyes of the spectators in the center court, the atmosphere feels incredible.”
For Henry and Jeffrey, this Universiade marks their inaugural visit to China. Henry expressed his fondness for Chengdu’s cuisine, despite finding it a bit spicy, and expressed his desire to try hot pot. Additionally, both brothers are eager to engage in activities such as the Chinese Bridge program in the Universiade Village, where they can learn to write Chinese characters and purchase Chinese crafts as mementos of their trip.
Chengdu Universiade | Swiss Tennis Brothers Chasing Universiade Dream
Xinhua News Agency • 2023-08-06 14:14:49 •
Xinhua News Agency, Chengdu, August 6 (Reporter Meng Dingwei, Sun Zhe and Lu Youyi) Swiss tennis players Henri von der Schulenberg and Jeffrey von der Schulenberg are brothers who are only two years apart. He belongs to the halves highest and lowest, and only when both work hard to reach the finals can the two meet at the top.
Swiss tennis player Henri von der Schulenberg in the men’s singles first round match. Photo provided by the Universiade Online News Center
The older brother, Henry, is a student of applied mathematics and economics at Harvard University, while the younger brother is a student of global security and justice at the University of Virginia. The two brothers have practiced tennis hard since they were young, and they have been together on the tennis court for almost 20 years, which means they are each other’s strongest support. For the first time to participate in the Universiade together, his younger brother Jeffrey said: “There is nothing more dreamlike than Henry and I meeting in the final. We are all looking forward to it.”
In the second round of the tennis men’s singles match held on July 31, the two brothers defeated their opponents with a score of 2:0 and joined hands to advance to the top 16.
Two days later, the brothers played together in the third round of men’s singles. Although Henry, an unseeded player, defeated the seeded player in an upset, his younger brother Jeffrey lost to the Japanese player, and his dream of progressing to the men’s singles final together was also dashed.
However, as the No. 10 seed, his younger brother Jeffrey played in men’s doubles as well as men’s singles. Jeffrey said after being eliminated in the men’s singles match: “After this match, I can fully prepare for the doubles match. At the same time, I will continue to cheer for Henry.”
In the match on August 4, the Swiss brothers played at the same time again. Henry fought fiercely against the Portuguese player, eventually winning the match and successfully progressing to the semi-finals of the men’s singles. In the men’s doubles semi-final, his younger brother Jeffrey and his partner narrowly lost to the Czech team. Jeffrey and his partner rushed to center court immediately after the match to cheer on his brother who was in the men’s singles match.
Swiss tennis player Geoffrey von der Schulenberg in the men’s doubles quarter-finals. Photo courtesy of the Universiade Online News Center
Fortunately, according to the Universiade tennis competition system, there will be no bronze medal competition after the semi-finals, so both brothers will be guaranteed a medal.
Speaking about cheering his younger brother and team-mates off the pitch, Henry said after the game: “They can go with me on the sidelines and give me great support, and fighting for the country itself is also a very honorable thing.”
For the enthusiasm of the audience in Chengdu, the two brothers are also quite touching. Jeffrey really likes the atmosphere of the Sichuan Tou International Tennis Center. He also said that the crowd applauds him when he hits some good shots. Henry said: “The weather was very hot. I had a tug of war with the Portuguese players for more than 2 hours. This game was actually very difficult. Playing under the gaze of so many spectators in the center court, the atmosphere is good right.”
This Universiade will allow the brothers to come to China for the first time. Henry said: “I like the food in Chengdu. Although it is a little spicy for me, I want to try hot pot. In addition, I would like to participate in the Chinese Bridge activity in the Universiade Village, learn to write Chinese characters , and buy some Chinese crafts. Go back.”
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