The Cradle of Future Tennis Stars – Songjiang District Tennis Association

As the number of tennis enthusiasts in Songjiang District continues to grow, the demand for playing and socializing through tennis has increased. In 2020, the Songjiang District Tennis Association was officially established. Since its inception, the association has swiftly promoted the development of tennis in the district with unwavering commitment. Today, Songjiang boasts dozens of professional tennis courts, serving as a crucial platform for players to connect and compete.

The association, through clubs such as Huating Tennis Club, Xicheng Tennis Club, and Shuaizhi Tennis Club, actively develops membership and organizes diverse activities. It is not just an organization but also a family, providing a sense of belonging and a platform for communication for every tennis lover.

Songjiang Strive Cup

Each year, the Songjiang District Tennis Association hosts the Songjiang Open Tennis Tournament, organized by the Songjiang District Sports Bureau. This event is part of the district’s “Strive Cup” series and has become a signature tournament in Songjiang. Through this platform, local enthusiasts can not only compete and exchange skills but also engage with tennis players from across the city, enhancing their abilities, expanding networking channels, and further enriching and promoting tennis culture.

The association has departments like the Competition Department and Referee Committee, ensuring the professionalism and high level of events. It also promotes the construction of new tennis venues to meet competition needs. By closely cooperating with various clubs, the Songjiang District Tennis Association has jointly created a series of brand tournaments, laying a solid foundation for the development of tennis in the district.

United and Friendly Tennis Enthusiasts

The Songjiang District Tennis Association strives to foster unity and friendship among tennis lovers. By promoting youth tennis training, it encourages more parents and enthusiasts to participate in the sport. The association actively communicates with the city’s tennis association, strengthening exchanges with other district associations through tournament activities, providing a broader stage for the district’s tennis enthusiasts.

Future Stars of Youth Tennis

Youth are the future of tennis, and they are a key focus for the Songjiang District Tennis Association. Since 2017, leveraging the intellectual resources of Songjiang University City, the association has cooperated with Donghua University to establish the Songjiang District Junior Tennis Team, marking a breakthrough in team formation.

The Songjiang Hanpu Junior Tennis Club, as a base for nurturing young talents, was founded under the guidance of the district sports bureau and with the support of Donghua University. Adopting a rigorous training model from traditional sports schools and modern tennis training concepts, the club provides scientific and systematic training.

To date, the club has nurtured 15 national champions and over 30 municipal champions, forming a well-structured team with a comprehensive development strategy. Among them, Li Ziyu, a student at Donghua University Affiliated Experimental School, has emerged as a leading player nationally.

Li Ziyu, born in 2011, first became interested in tennis in 2018, after being recommended by his school teachers and successfully passing several rounds of selection. He joined the Songjiang District Junior Tennis Team, embarking on his tennis journey.

Gradually increasing his training hours from two hours after school on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and on weekends, holidays, and winter and summer vacations, to daily two-hour sessions, Li Ziyu quickly distinguished himself under the guidance of his coaches. He became one of the district’s key junior players.

From quiet progress to reaching the second round of the city games, then the third round, the quarterfinals, semifinals, and runner-up in short net play, Li Ziyu has claimed numerous doubles titles and won the men’s singles title at the Jiefang Cup. He has accumulated 16 national championship titles, including the following:

June 2024

Champion, U14 Boys’ Singles, Honyun Jindi Junior Tennis Tour, Nanjing Station.

May 2024

Champion, U14 Boys’ Doubles, China High School Tennis League, Second Leg.

May 2024

Champion, U14 Boys’ Singles, 16th “General Cup, Mulan Cup” Junior Tennis Tournament.

September 2023

Champion, U14 Boys’ Doubles, National Junior Tennis Ranking Tournament and China Junior Tennis Tour, Second Leg (Shanghai Fengxian Station).

December 2023

Champion, U12 Boys’ Singles, National Junior Tennis Ranking Finals and China Junior Tennis Tour Finals.

Li Ziyu says, “Every trajectory the ball takes in the air tells a story. No matter how strong the opponent, I am not afraid. Playing every ball with all my heart leaves no regrets! It’s these miracles that make me happy on the court and enjoy every moment.”

Looking ahead, the Songjiang District Tennis Association will further strengthen the cultivation of youth tennis talents, ensuring the sustainability of team development. The association will actively cooperate with the education and sports bureaus to build platforms for the integration of youth tennis and education. To cater to the growing demand for tennis, it will also enhance communication with higher authorities and enterprises to secure resources for hosting more tournaments.

The association plans to organize annual coaching and refereeing training to improve amateur training and officiating standards. Additionally, it will continue to actively communicate with the city’s tennis association, seeking to include Songjiang’s tennis events in the city’s tournament calendar, raising the level of competitions, and offering a larger stage for tennis enthusiasts.

The Songjiang District Tennis Association plays a pivotal role in the development of tennis in the district. With continuous efforts and innovation, it not only provides a platform for tennis enthusiasts to showcase their talents but also makes significant contributions to the popularization and promotion of tennis in Songjiang. In the future, the association will continue to strive for excellence, elevating tournament standards and nurturing more outstanding tennis talents, contributing to the growth of tennis in Songjiang and beyond.