China's Tennis Scene Struggles to Keep Pace with Global Rivals

As the ATP 1000 tournament in Shanghai approaches its peak, the aspirations of tennis fans in China for significant achievements by local players appear limited. Although men's tennis in China has made strides, a breakthrough to the elite level remains elusive.

The ATP has made considerable efforts to promote the sport in Asia over the past few decades. Shanghai serves as the culmination of the Asian Swing, which follows the US Open and includes prior events in Chengdu and Hangzhou (both ATP 250), as well as Tokyo and Beijing (both ATP 500). Tennis enjoys a warm reception among fans in China, with iconic players like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal celebrated as superstars during their careers. However, the search for a Chinese counterpart to these legends continues, leaving a gap that the ATP is eager to fill.

The last player to achieve a similar status was Japan's Kei Nishikori, who reached the US Open final in 2014 but has since struggled with injuries. In the current Shanghai tournament, five local players are competing, including Yunchaokete Bu (ranked ATP 89), Yibing Wu (ATP 158), Juncheng Shang (ATP 238), Yi Zhou (ATP 305), and Zhizhen Zhang (ATP 370). Notably, Shang was once the world's top-ranked junior.

Except for Bu, who is in the top 100, the other players secured their spots in the main draw through wildcards, highlighting the need for improvement in the sport's competitive landscape. Zhang, once considered a key hope for Chinese tennis, has faced setbacks due to a knee injury that forced him to take a six-month hiatus. He expressed hope of regaining form by 2026.

The Chinese Tennis Association is particularly optimistic about the prospects of Bu, Shang, and Yi Zhou, who are seen as potential contenders for the top 50 in the near future. Shang and Zhou were recognized among the world's best juniors, but transitioning to professional tennis can be challenging.

Currently, the highest-ranked Asian player is Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik (ATP 16), with fellow Kazakh Alexander Schevchenko (ATP 88) and Nishikori (ATP 94) trailing behind Bu.

In contrast, the women's scene in China tells a different story. In the early 2010s, Li Na emerged as a remarkable role model, inspiring a tennis boom and paving the way for future successes. Today, Qinwen Zheng, the Olympic champion from Paris and currently ranked ninth in the world, serves as an inspiration for countless young girls. Another rising star, Xinyu Wang, ranks 33rd globally.

As the ATP tour wraps up its Asian leg and returns to Europe for the season's end, the WTA tour will remain in Asia until year-end, hosting several events in China, Japan, and India. The WTA Finals, featuring the top eight players, will take place in Saudi Arabia.