In today’s competitive world of sports, not many fellow players celebrate another’s victory. However, tennis is a big exception in this regard. Take the example of Jannik Sinner when he won his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year. Fellow players took to social media to send congratulatory messages to the Italian star. A similar incident occurred at the ongoing China Open when fellow players surprised local star Zhang Shuai after one of the biggest wins of her career.

At 35, Shuai is toward the fag end of her career. She was up against the sixth seed, Emma Navarro, in the round of 64 at the China Open. Although the form was on the American star’s side, especially after making it to the semifinal of the US Open, Navarro suffered a shock loss against Shuai in straight sets. Subsequently, fellow players showered love on Zhang Shuai in the locker room and even hugged her while congratulating her on the big victory.

During the post-match press conference, Shuai described the emotions in the locker room, saying, “The big things is I have a lot of friends. They always supporting me. Not only friends, but when I’m back to the locker room, everybody jumping, C’mon, Shuai, I’m so happy for you. They hug me. Even though go to shower, nothing, they coming to, like, yeah (smiling). I feel like they say couple days ago, three days ago, everybody when I’m missing the match point, they feel like, C’mon, she really need this point, give her this win. I feel so warm from the other player, coach.”

As for Navarro, it was her first match after her run to the US Open semifinals, which saw her break into the Top 10. Interestingly, Shuai defeated Navarro nearly fifteen years after she defeated No. 1 ranked Dinara Safina in the same round in the 2009 China Open, marking her first career Top 10 triumph. Zhang Shuai’s triumph was truly historic because, since 1975, she had been rated 226th, the lowest-ranked player to ever defeat a woman ranked first in the WTA rankings.

Coming into the China Open, Shuai was on a 24-match losing streak, one of the longest in the history of the sport. She ended that disappointing run with her first-round win over McCartney Kessler. With Zhang widely respected in the tennis circuit, even the likes of Coco Gauff came forward to congratulate her.

Coco Gauff’s emotional tribute to Zhang Shuai after her losing streak ends

The American sensation is also playing in the China Open and is through to the round of 32. Interestingly, Gauff has played doubles with Zhang Shuai in the past and knows her well. After the Chinese star ended her losing streak at the China Open, Gauff was among the first to congratulate her.

She said, “It was tough to see her going through the streak, but honestly through it all you would have never noticed she was going through that. I’ve seen her literally five minutes after matches and she would still say hi to me and be so excited to see me, which, I’m not like that after I lose. That just shows the type of person she is. I’ve learned a lot from her.”

When Gauff herself was going through tough times, Shuai stood by her and even “comforted her,” as revealed by the American star. It goes to show how humble Shuai is, and it isn’t a surprise that players are celebrating her success at the China Open. Zhang Shuai next faces Greet Minnen of Belgium in the round of 32. Can she continue her winning run at the China Open? Let us know your views in the comments below