Shang Juncheng unchanged forward of Jeddah bow: ‘I am nonetheless the identical blissful child’ | ATP Tour

Subsequent Gen ATP Finals

Shang unchanged forward of Jeddah bow: ‘I am nonetheless the identical blissful child’

Chinese language star first participant from his nation to compete at youth showcase

December 17, 2024

Shang Juncheng’s success has helped gas a tennis increase in China. The primary participant from his nation to compete on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals introduced by PIF, the 19-year-old is now wanting to be part of the sport’s development in Saudi Arabia. 

“This occasion, they’ve had so many nice gamers prior to now and numerous good champions,” he mentioned. “So I feel coming right here is de facto particular, particularly coming into Jeddah. Possibly a few years in the past there wasn’t an excessive amount of tennis motion occurring, however now we’ve the WTA Finals and the Subsequent Gen Finals right here, so I am actually wanting ahead to it.”

Shang enters Jeddah as a member of the Prime 50 within the PIF ATP Rankings, having reached a career-high of No. 47 in October after profitable his first tour-level title in Chengdu. He misplaced only one set in that run on the ATP 250 and beat Lorenzo Musetti within the ultimate. Regardless of his fast stand up the rankings — and his greater than $1 million in prize cash this season — Shang stays the identical individual as his sport evolves.

“I feel I am nonetheless the identical blissful child,” he mentioned. “I attempt to be blissful on the court docket, attempt to be taught day by day what I can do higher what must be improved. I feel it is just a bit little bit of a problem every day to make me a greater participant.”

Shang posted a 5-3 report on the Grand Slams this season (he bowed out in qualifying at Roland Garros) and reached the main-draw second spherical in any respect 4 ATP Masters 1000s at which he competed. Aside from his Chengdu title, he singled out his efficiency on the majors as a season spotlight and took specific pleasure in finishing the 12 months with out harm or sickness.

Sarcastically, he had an eye fixed an infection early within the offseason, however he nonetheless loved some downtime on vacation in Dubai, full with buying and seashore time. In latest months, Shang has additionally began a gluten-free food plan, a part of an general effort to dwell a extra skilled life-style.

Shang’s mother and father are additionally key influences. His father, Yi, was knowledgeable soccer participant; his mom, Na, was a world champion desk tennis participant.

“I feel the mentality is identical, that you just go on court docket, you strive 100 per cent,” he mentioned about taking classes from their sporting careers. “That is what they have been telling me on a regular basis: You have to be a competitor, however on the identical time you have to know your values — that perhaps generally profitable just isn’t an important factor. Extra to benefit from the competitors and benefit from the folks watching you. I feel on the finish of the day it is [the people] who’re subsequent to you that is an important factor.”

Whereas Shang and his fellow Jeddah opponents proceed to study life as skilled tennis gamers, their expertise on the Subsequent Gen ATP Finals supplies a uncommon probability to compete solely amongst friends.

“The eight of us right here, we all know one another inside-out. We grew up all collectively, we’re throughout the identical age,” he mentioned. “It is actually particular as a result of on Tour you play the older guys, not folks your age. So coming right here, I feel it is some form of stress that I am taking part in children which are like me, my age.”