China’s Zhang Shuai, alongside France’s Kristina Mladenovic, advanced to the US Open women’s doubles final after a challenging 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 victory against Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend on Wednesday. This marks Zhang’s fourth Grand Slam doubles final and her first at the US Open since winning the title with Samantha Stosur in 2021. Zhang and Mladenovic will face seventh-seeded Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko in the final on Friday.
Meanwhile, China’s Zheng Qinwen concluded her impressive Grand Slam run this year with a quarterfinal loss to Aryna Sabalenka at the US Open. Despite this defeat, Zheng’s remarkable performances in major tournaments, including her historic gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, have garnered widespread attention, further igniting tennis interest across China.
Zheng’s rise, along with other Chinese players’ successes in global tennis events, has sparked renewed enthusiasm for the sport in China. The nation’s expanding tennis community is cultivating a new generation of talent, eager to make their mark on the global stage. At just 21 years old, Zheng made history as the first Asian-born player to win an Olympic tennis singles event, adding to her runner-up finish at the Australian Open earlier this year.
At the Paris Olympics, Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu claimed silver in mixed doubles, a significant achievement considering they were paired at the last minute due to Zheng’s withdrawal. Their success, along with Zheng’s, follows the legacy of earlier Chinese tennis icons like Li Na, inspiring a new wave of tennis players and fans.
Zheng credits Li Na’s 2011 Roland Garros victory as a motivating factor for her own career. “She put a little seed in my heart that I also wanted to do that and to be like her… and even better,” Zheng said during an interview in 2023.
China’s tennis presence continues to grow rapidly. According to the 2021 International Tennis Federation Global Tennis Report, China ranks second in global tennis participation, with 19.92 million people engaged in the sport. The country also boasts 49,767 tennis courts, making it one of the top nations for tennis infrastructure.
In Zheng’s hometown of Wuhan, Hubei Province, youth tennis training has flourished since 2015, with over 100 primary schools offering tennis programs. Jingshan city, known as “China’s Tennis Hometown,” has further cultivated a strong tennis culture, with 80,000 residents regularly playing and 286 courts scattered across the small city, making the sport accessible to all.
Zheng’s next focus is the China Open, which runs from September 23 to October 6 in Beijing. With more Chinese players competing in the singles than ever before, the tournament reflects the nation’s rapid rise in the international tennis scene.
The growth of tennis in China stems not only from the success of players like Zhang Shuai, Zheng Qinwen, and Li Na, but also from increased investment in tennis facilities and grassroots initiatives, making the sport accessible to millions. Zheng’s journey may inspire the next generation of Chinese tennis stars, much like Li Na inspired her.