Who Is Chinese WTA Star Shuai Zhang and How Did She Manage to Turn the Tables at the 2024 China Open?

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ByHarsh Kapoor

Oct 1, 2024 | 12:53 PM EDT

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Shuai Zhang's comeback at the China Open—Is this the greatest tennis comeback story of 2024?

The China Open is going on in full swing but there’s one standout name who has stunned everyone with her heroics, Zhang Shuai. The Chinese pro, having made her way to the quarter-finals of the event, has stunned big names like Emma Navarro and is now set to face Paula Badosa in an action-packed thriller. However, things were not always easy for Shuai. Having gone through a lot in her career, she is now looking to turn things around. But, how have her struggles been?

Zhang Shuai was one of those players who was unable to make her way into the main rounds of a grand slam. And when she did, she often struggled. At one stage, she had a horrible 0-14 record in the main draws of the slams. However, her breakthrough came at the 2016 Australian Open when she made it to the quarter-finals of the event.

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Now, ranked 30th in the world in doubles and 595th in singles, Shuai reached the fourth round of the US Open for the first time in 2022. The 35-year-old often shares her story to motivate younger players, reminding them that despite early struggles, things can get better if they keep trying.

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“That’s why when we meet some player who wants to stop or feeling sad after a match, I always tell them, ‘Next one, for sure you’ll do better. See how when I started the tour, how bad my results were? No one was badder than me. I am the history. I’m No. 1 in something. These players are much better than me, right? You guys are still young. You should keep trying,” said Shuai in an interview.

After 24 consecutive losses, Shuai Zhang is coming for 240 consecutive wins pic.twitter.com/s77viXf3AA
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However, after the results slowly started to change the course of her career, she had her doubts again. “Sometimes when you start winning your singles matches, I think, ‘Why did I sign up for all three? What am I doing?’ I should have planned a better schedule,” Shuai said with a smile.

Zhang Shuai, who is on a dream run in Beijing, has had her share of bad forms and disappointments. However, her coach was the one who stood right by her side and made sure that she persevered despite the results.

Zhang Shuai thanked her coach for helping her keep going amidst bad days

In the press conference in China, Shuai opened up about her coach and how he’s been her constant support amidst adversity. Despite being ranked 595, her coach suggested she’s still the best in the game. While she doubted his words, they surely felt motivating to her.

“But I told you many my friend in the tour, the player, coach, every day they tell me, You level still top. But my ranking 600. How can trust 600? Already coming back for seven months. I mean, I didn’t play so many singles match. Still, how can trust yourself 600, but you still top?” said Shuai in the press conference.

She further added that having the right people by her side helps her a lot as it keeps her surrounded with positivity and does now allow bad thoughts to creep in. After her quarterfinal run in the China Open, Shuai is now trusting herself and is on the right track. Despite being 35, she still has the hunger to keep going and strive for the best results.

Being a crowd favorite at the China Open, how deep into the tournament do you think Shuai can go? Will she finally break the deadlock in singles and make history? Let us know in the comments below!