Zhang Zhizhen, China’s highest-ranked male participant in historical past, earned his first Wimbledon main-draw victory in his third look on Monday. The 27-year-old reached the semi-finals in Halle and now appears to be like to construct upon his grass-court success on the All England Membership, the place he faces Jan-Lennard Struff within the second spherical.
On the season’s third main, ATPTour.com sat down with the No. 38 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings to debate his earliest Wimbledon recollections and his ambitions for this yr’s version of The Championships.
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What’s your first reminiscence of watching Wimbledon?
That was Roger towards Roddick, 16-14 [in the fifth set]. That’s the one. On the finish, I used to be falling asleep as a result of I used to be in China. [I was watching] in our membership.
What’s your first reminiscence of enjoying at Wimbledon?
The primary time I handed the qualies in 2021. The primary time I performed at Wimbledon, straight away handed the qualies to the principle web site. In the long run, since that, I’ve misplaced each single match. So that might be a very good reminiscence to cease! I’ll change that!
While you first performed at Wimbledon, what have been your early ideas in regards to the environment?
I used to be pondering it was a bit of bit completely different. Particularly qualies from the main-draw web site, it’s all the time completely different. Nonetheless for me, I don’t assume it’s successful a match at Wimbledon if it’s from the qualies web site [in Roehampton].
Do you may have a favorite courtroom?
I want I might play on Centre Court docket! I’d desire within the second or third spherical, not within the first spherical please!
What’s your favorite Wimbledon custom?
Truly I like all of the folks sporting white. It appears to be like higher. I keep in mind this view from the highest and also you see all of the gamers in white on a grass courtroom, it’s fairly good. If it’s blue, pink, another colors, possibly you don’t really feel it’s as lovely. It was a very good view. You simply need to see who’s who, when you see the swing or one way or the other, it’s powerful.
What’s your favorite factor about enjoying on grass?
With my serve, I can get much more factors. Greater than another floor. Grass you’ll be able to [dive] a bit of. I’ve by no means tried, however all the time in my thoughts is, ‘After I can, attempt to bounce to get the purpose’.
Are there quite a lot of Chinese language followers at Wimbledon?
It’s distant from China. Particularly in comparison with the Australian Open, it’s a lot much less. However I nonetheless imagine there’s extra Chinese language folks. Previous couple of years I performed Wimbledon and I keep in mind close to the courtroom, Chinese language folks throughout there.
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