Sounds: Shang Juncheng – Adapting to Grass Season and Team’s Euro Cup Relaxation

On the first day of the 2024 Wimbledon, 19-year-old Chinese rising star Shang Juncheng secured a straight-set victory over Chilean player Garin on Court 6, marking the first main-draw win at Wimbledon for Chinese men’s tennis in the Open Era! Soon after, Zhang Zhizhen also won 3-0 against French player Juvet, bringing double joy to Chinese men’s tennis.

Shang credited his win to the strong support from the fans: “This is my first time playing in the main draw of Wimbledon, and the atmosphere was fantastic. Although Court 6 doesn’t have many seats, there were lots of Chinese fans cheering for me, giving me a lot of energy and allowing me to play a great match.”

“Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam on grass, and it’s the only tournament that requires players to wear all-white. The overall vibe is unique. Tickets are hard to come by, so the fans here are truly passionate about tennis, some even queuing up overnight. Having this much support is crucial for us players.”

Regarding the characteristics and rhythm of grass court tennis, Shang feels increasingly at ease: “I didn’t have much experience on grass growing up; my first real exposure was during my junior Wimbledon days. This is my second proper grass season, but I’m really enjoying it and feel very comfortable on this surface.”

“Grass generally suits my game well, as I have good movement, which is essential for someone not particularly tall. Recently, I’ve started sliding on the grass, which can be risky but has helped me a lot in getting to balls. The grass itself is slippery, especially with a bit of moisture – it’s like skating. Today, I managed to stay steady, only falling once.”

Comparing to last year, Shang has seen significant improvements in his physical abilities: “As you grow older and training becomes more systematic, your physical capabilities improve, and you adapt better to the tour schedule. Professional tennis players spend a lot of time traveling, so rest is crucial, followed by fitness work, with tennis training coming afterward. Everyone has been playing for years, their technique is solid; it’s about being physically and mentally prepared to challenge yourself, something I’ve learned recently.”

With the 2024 UEFA European Championship in full swing, Shang shared that his team watches matches together to unwind: “My parents enjoy football, and my coach is Argentine, also a football fan. We watched England vs. Slovakia yesterday, and my parents like to bet on who will win – Dad, being a football player himself, is much more knowledgeable than Mom.”

Looking ahead to his second-round match at Wimbledon against the 10th seed Dimitrov, Shang acknowledged the challenge: “I’ll definitely prepare 100%, knowing that he’s in great form this year, his ranking in the top 10 speaks for itself. I’ll try to stay relaxed, not thinking too much about the outcome, focusing instead on bringing out my best performance.”

(Text and image: Felix)