Last September, in the first round of the WTA (International Women's Tennis Association) 250 Tournament in Ningbo, Yuan Yue was eliminated on her 25th birthday. At that time, she cried and asked everyone to remember her and said she would fight back.

Half a year later, Yuan Yue not only came back, but also reached new highs in the world rankings.

In the WTA1000 Indian Wells that ended on March 14, Yuan Yue reversed the match 2-1 against No. 11 seed Kasatkina and entered the top 8 of the WTA1000 for the first time. Her instant world ranking reached 37th. Among the Chinese Golden Flowers Second only to Zheng Qinwen.

Talking about the changes in the past six months, Yuan Yue said that life always has its ups and downs, and no matter what stage it is, maintaining a normal mind is the most important.

　　record

　　Ranked third with 9 consecutive wins this season

　　Last week, Yuan Yuegang won the WTA250 Austin station and won the first tour singles championship in his career.

Coming to Indian Wells this week, Yuan Yue continued to perform strongly. In the second round, he defeated Zheng Qinwen, ranked 8th in the world, and won his first victory over a top ten player in the world.

　　Against Kasakina, ranked 12th in the world, Yuan Yue lost the first set 4-6.

After that, she showed great tenacity and started chasing points when trailing 1-3 in the second set, and finally completed the reversal 6-4, 6-3.

Prior to this, the best results of Chinese players in Indian Wells were Li Na's semi-finals in 2007 and 2014.

Yuan Yuehao won 9 consecutive victories and reached the top 8 of the WTA1000 for the first time.

On the WTA Tour winning streak list this season, Yuan Yue's nine consecutive wins ranked third, second only to Karolina Pliskova (11 consecutive wins) and Gauff (10 consecutive wins).

　　Yuan Yue said after the game that although she had a beautiful winning point in the first set, she made too many unnecessary mistakes.

In the second set, she tried to play more steadily and reduce mistakes, and it worked. "We can't let her score easily from me."

　　In this tournament, Yuan Yue has defeated two top 15 players, Zheng Qinwen and Kasakina.

Facing high-ranking players, Yuan Yue admitted that there was no pressure and nothing to lose. "Now that I have the opportunity to stand on such a big stage, there is no reason not to give everything I have to fight. Moreover, my ranking is against players like them." , there’s nothing you can’t let go of.”

　　progress

　　It took half a year to fight back.

　　In the first round of the WTA250 Ningbo last year, Yuan Yue lost to Bandel on his birthday.

At that time, she cried at the press conference and said: "Please remember me as I am now. When one day, I see how I overcome these difficulties step by step, I will fight back." At that time, Yuan Yue's world The ranking has dropped to outside the 140th place, and it has suffered repeated defeats.

　　Half a year later, Yuan Yue not only came back, but also hit career highs in the world rankings.

After reversing Kasatkina 2-1 to advance to the top 8, Yuan Yue's real-time world ranking reached a career-high 37th, second only to Zheng Qinwen among the Chinese Golden Flowers.

While her ranking continues to improve, she also signed her first sponsor at the beginning of this year. She is no longer the little player who has not been favored by sponsors for a long time.

　　Talking about the scene at the Ningbo Games last year, Yuan Yue said that the most important thing is to maintain a normal mind.

"In any profession, not just tennis, there are always ups and downs in life." Yuan Yue said that although it is going smoothly now, there may be a day in the future when he still cannot win the game despite trying his best. "This is normal. I won't do it because of it." I have played a few games recently and I feel very proud. Even when I was at a low point, I lost a lot of games and my ranking kept falling, but I also believe that I can come back. No matter what stage, maintaining a normal mind is the most important."

　　Next, Yuan Yue will compete with No. 3 seed Gauff for a spot in the top four.

Although he may face problems such as physical fitness, Yuan Yue said that one thing that has improved now is that he can maintain his confidence even if he is tired.

　　Special article/Beijing News chief reporter Sun Haiguang