The 2023 Australian Open has recently come to an end.

As the opening event of the Grand Slam, this year's Australian Open has witnessed a new record in Chinese tennis - 10 players from mainland China have qualified for the singles main match, and the number has reached a record high.

Shang Juncheng won the men's singles for the first time, Zhang Shuai and Zhu Lin broke into the top 16 of the women's singles... The Australian Open transcripts of Chinese players are remarkable.

Veterans are honed and young players are full of drive. The new year of Chinese tennis, where talents are emerging, has a new look and is expected to bring more surprises.

　　Women's tennis golden flower often blooms unbeaten

　　Zheng Saisai retired early due to injury, Wang Xiyu and Yuan Yue stopped in the first round, Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu broke into the second round, Zhu Lin and Zhang Shuai joined hands to advance to the top 16.

Although it failed to reproduce the grand occasion of last year's US Open with five players among the top 32, Jin Hua's overall performance was amazing enough.

　　When Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xiyu, Yuan Yue and other teenagers in their early 20s emerged, the 34-year-old Zhang Shuai was still fighting in the third line of the women's singles, women's doubles and mixed doubles, maintaining an excellent competitive state.

This year's Australian Open, Zhang Shuai reached the top 16 of the Grand Slam women's singles for the fifth time, and finally lost to the former world No. 1 and Czech star Pliskova.

　　"Although the years are passing by, ideals are always young." Just like Zhang Shuai's message to herself, even though she is a veteran, she still overcomes all obstacles for Chinese tennis with diligence and hard work.

In the latest women's singles world rankings, Zhang Shuai ranked 23rd, the highest ranking among Chinese players.

　　Few people thought that the biggest surprise of the Chinese women's tennis team came from the 29-year-old Zhu Lin.

A few years ago, she was still in the top 100 of the world rankings. In this year's Australian Open, she defeated the No. 6 seed and Greek player Sakari, and broke into the top 16 of the Grand Slam for the first time in her career.

　　"This victory is of great significance. It makes me believe that I can play at this level and beat such players." The persistent training and gradually accumulated self-confidence made Zhu Lin, who was previously unknown, usher in an explosion in the new season.

Belarus star Azarenka said bluntly that Zhu Lin played in the top 20 in the world.

　　"My team has always said that I can enter the top 50 and top 30 in the world. I was not sure before, but after this competition, I really believe that I may be able to enter the top 30 or top 20." Zhu Lin said, although I "fly a little slower than others", but I will always "walk to that place slowly".

　　From Li Na to Zhang Shuai and Zhu Lin, why are Chinese female tennis players always "late bloomers"?

During the current Australian Open, Zhang Shuai said frankly when talking about this topic that behind the late bloomers, it is actually hard work and sweetness.

　　"When we were young, we never played a Grand Slam, and even our coaches rarely had a Grand Slam experience. Some of our players didn't start playing on tour until they were 25 years old, and before I joined the tour, They don’t even know what rehabilitation and physiotherapy are.” Zhang Shuai said, “But the current Chinese young players are different. They have a great team since they were teenagers. The whole team works around one player, like Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xiyu and Wang Xinyu. They can play well from the age of 18."

　　From the debut of the Grand Slam to the first championship of the Grand Slam, and now the successive blooming of tennis golden flowers, the development of Chinese women's tennis has become more professional and younger.

In 2022, the post-00 players represented by Zheng Qinwen made new breakthroughs, allowing people to see the potential of the new generation of women's tennis.

In this year's Australian Open, although the three young players failed to break through the top 32, the experience and experience of the Grand Slam competitions are invaluable to young players.

　　Men's tennis three outstanding hand in hand

　　In the men's singles field, Shang Juncheng, Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing fought together. This is the first time since the Open Era that three men's singles players from mainland China participated in the Grand Slam.

Shang Juncheng defeated Germany's Ott 3:1 in the first round, won the Grand Slam for the first time, and became the first male player from mainland China to advance to the second round of the Australian Open.

Although Wu Yibing and Zhang Zhizhen failed to make it past the first round, they also performed brilliantly on the field.

　　In 2022, Chinese men's tennis will make a historic breakthrough-Zhang Zhizhen's world ranking will enter the top 100; Wu Yibing, who has returned from injury, will break into the third round of the US Open, creating the best record for a Chinese male player in a Grand Slam. Listed by the Men's Professional Tennis Association (ATP) as the best comeback player of the year candidate; at the age of 17, Shang Chengcheng turned to the professional arena, won the first ATP Challenge Championship, and became the youngest man among the top 200 in the world tennis player.

　　Coming to the Australian Open, three Chinese players still play the role of challengers.

Shang Juncheng won consecutive victories in the qualifying rounds, broke into the main race with a wave of three consecutive victories and won his first victory.

The good performance of his debut in the Grand Slam has made people full of expectations for his future.

　　"This is the first time I participated in a Grand Slam competition. I am in very good condition and I am very satisfied with my performance. I am looking forward to the next Grand Slam competition." Shang Juncheng said that he just switched to the professional arena. Every set and every point is an opportunity to learn.

　　In the first round, Wu Yibing lost five sets with French player Mutai.

In the case of falling behind twice in the set, Wu Yibing still stubbornly equalized the score and dragged the game to the last set.

Wu Yibing said that this defeat will not make him lose confidence, and reaching the top 30 in the world is still the goal of this season.

　　Zhang Zhizhen also played 5 sets with his opponent. Facing the American dark horse Shelton, Zhang Zhizhen once got the match point, but he fell short in handling key balls and grasping opportunities.

　　According to Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing, the competition and encouragement among several Chinese players is an important reason for their continuous breakthroughs.

At the same time, the Chinese men's tennis has made breakthroughs and pierced the window paper again and again, which will also help more young players focus on the world and reach new heights.

　　"I believe that more and better Chinese players will come to the Grand Slam in the future, and they will also have more confidence. The goal is not only to break through the top 100, but to achieve greater achievements." Wu Yibing said.

　　Zhang Shuai, who has been fighting side by side, also feels the same about the progress of Chinese men's tennis.

"I started participating in the Australian Open from the youth tournament. At that time, I didn't see Chinese male players at all. This year, young players like Shang Chengcheng even made it to the adult group. This also shows the progress and development of Chinese tennis It is so fast that people are full of hope for the future.”

　　The star of hope is shining.

In this year's Australian Open youth competition, the 17-year-old Zhou Yi broke into the top four.

After the Australian Open, this young player will also be transferred to the adult competition, and the new generation of Chinese tennis will add new strength.

(Our reporter Liu Yao)

　　(Source: People's Daily Overseas Edition, Page 09, February 1, 2023)