Taking inspiration from legendary figures is indeed a smart move, and that is what an up-and-coming player from China is doing. Although he was spoilt for choices with several great names in the sport, from Laver and Sampras to Nadal and Djokovic, he couldn’t look past a certain Roger Federer. In an interview, Zhizhen Zhang recently shed light on which players inspire him the most. Zhang picked the legendary Roger Federer and made a strong remark. He is the first Chinese man to make it into the ATP Top 100 and molding himself after the Swiss Maestro might have aided him in his inspirational journey.

26-year-old Zhang opened up at the press conference for the Rolex Shanghai Masters about a lot of things. When asked about whom he draws inspiration from, he didn’t hesitate to open up about his ardent love for the Swiss legend.

Zhizhen Zhang: the latest member of the Roger Federer fan club

The 20-time Grand Slam winner has a lot of fans out there. Roger’s fan following is certainly the biggest in tennis. So, it wasn’t a surprise when Zhizhen addressed Federer as his all-time favorite. Zhang has been a pro for the last 11 years, so he knows what he is talking about.

“My favourite player always is Roger. But now, I mean, I’m watching all the players how they play, and then I just try to play, like, my tennis”, said Zhang. This affection for Federer is not new for Zhang. He has been an admirer for almost a decade now.

Zhizhen didn’t hesitate once while naming Federer as the best. He went further, saying that he draws inspiration from many other players right now. This makes sense, as every player has a unique skill. When dissected thoroughly, his statement says a lot about the way he prepares for matches. Most players study their opponents before their matches. However, it looks like Zhang isn’t after someone in particular. He observes as many as he can to level up his game.

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Zhang’s admiration for Roger Federer goes way back

In 2016, during a practice session in Monte Carlo, Zhang, an ardent fan of Roger Federer, had the remarkable chance to share a tennis court with the Swiss superstar. According to Zhang, Roger may not have even recognized him at the time. As the practice session concluded, Federer approached him for a conversation, but the overwhelming sense of awe left Zhang tongue-tied. He later reflected on this experience in a 2020 CNN interview. He even emphasized that he was so star-struck that he couldn’t recall a single word exchanged with the tennis legend.

Recently, after his impressive victory in Napoli, which sealed his entry into the ATP Top 100, Zhang received appreciation from someone who was a mentor to his idol, Roger Federer.

Needing five match points to defeat Sebastian Baez, Zhizhen secured victory by a score of 7-6(5), 7-6(11). Ivan Ljubicic, known for his coaching role with Roger Federer, expressed genuine admiration for Zhang’s incredible feat.

Ljubicic, who has dedicated substantial time to mentoring Federer, addressed Zhang’s remarkable achievement and it will certainly be a moment to remember for the Chinese star. 

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