How Chinese WTA Talent Yuan Yue Turned Her Career Upside Down by Ditching Roger Federer’s Iconic Farewell

Two roads diverged, and Yuan Yue took the one she felt was right. And that has made all the difference. The 25-year-old Chinese tennis player is currently having a dream run at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. She recently defeated Russian tennis star Daria Kasatkina in a three-set thriller to make her way into the QF of the tournament. But did you know once Yuan ditched Roger Federer‘s farewell match to take part in a tournament in the US?

Yue Yuan is a big fan of Roger Federer and a couple of years ago, she was in two minds about whether to play a tournament and potentially make it to the Top 100 for the first time in her career or watch her idol Roger Federer play at his swansong tournament in London. What did she choose, though?

“Tickets were too expensive” – Yue Yuan on being a no show at Roger Federer’s swansong

At that time, when she was in two minds, her coach had completely left it to her to take the call. Finally, Yue Yuan chose to play in a lower-level tournament in Berkeley, California in 2022 and made it to the finals. Four weeks later, she broke into the Top 100.

Recalling that moment during her interview at the BNP Paribas Open, Yuan said, “My coach said, ‘You can decide by yourself, nobody will push you. You can decide if you want to be Top 100 faster or watch his match.’” She further went on to add, “The final reason was because the tickets were too expensive,” with a smile on her face.

But she dropped down outside the Top 100 by the time the 2023 season began. However, she managed to make her way back again at the end of last season and had appeared in the finals of the Korea Open, although she was defeated by Jessica Pegula in the finals. But later on, Pegula heaped praise on the Chinese tennis player.

She said, “Last time we played was a battle and this one was as well. You’re really talented and I told you your ranking is going to go up. You told me it’s your first final but I’m sure there will be many more.“ After that, Yue Yuan managed to clinch her first WTA title at the ATX Open in Austin and also reached the finals of the Hobart International this year. She has won 13 matches in her last 17 appearances, and here’s what she said after defeating Kasatkina.

Yuan shares the reason for her joy

Shortly after her R16 match, Yue Yuan gave an interview in which she said, “I am super happy today. Even though I felt tired during the match, I kept my confidence that I could do well.“ She admitted that she had made many mistakes in the first set. But she’s happy with her comeback on the second set. 

Will Jessica Pegula’s prediction of Yuan featuring in many more finals yet again turn true at the Indian Wells this year? Or will Coco Gauff end her dream run in the next match? Share your views with us in the comments section.

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