Zhang Shuai starts strong with a win at the China Open singles, looking ahead to face Wang Xinyu in the next round.

On the evening of September 24th Beijing time, after a three-set fight in the first round of the China Open, Zhang Shuai came from behind to defeat qualifier Zakharova 3-6, 6-1, 6-4. The cheers at the Diamond Court left the local favorite visibly moved and full of joy.

Profile image of Zhang Shuai

"I am currently very excited and delighted to be back competing in my hometown, and it’s a pleasure to play at the Diamond Court," said 36-year-old Zhang Shuai. She mentioned that the impressive variety of dumplings and other dishes in the players' dining hall was a pleasant surprise. Usually, Zhang skips tournament meals in favor of seeking Chinese cuisine worldwide, but here in Beijing, she can enjoy it fully.

"Some tournaments serve the same dishes every day," she said, "Grand Slams last three weeks from qualifiers to finals. You can’t eat the same food all the time, right? Here, I had a hearty meal before the match. Even after playing three full sets, I still felt full and energized. I knew I could beat her because I stayed physically strong throughout. Nutrition is crucial for players. Health is important, but enjoying your food matters even more — at least for me."

At this time last year, she ended a 24-match singles losing streak on tour at the China Open and reached the quarterfinals. This week, her singles ranking is 112, while her doubles ranking is an impressive 14. These experiences fully qualify Zhang Shuai to mentor rising Chinese tennis talents, and she embraces her role as a veteran in the sport with confidence.

"When I was practicing at the Diamond Court, someone told me, 'I’ve been watching you play since elementary school, and now I’m in college,'" she laughed. "That really shows I’ve been playing for quite a long time."

Because of this, when she sees young players struggling, Zhang Shuai can deeply empathize: "I see them filled with panic, their faces showing anxiety," she said. "They’re nervous, with so many uncertainties. I’ve been through many ups and downs and can maintain a calm mindset. But this composure cannot be forced upon young players."

In last week’s Billie Jean King Cup final, where China lost to Italy on home soil, both Yuan Yue and Wang Xinyu won the first set and led in the second in their singles matches but were ultimately reversed by Cocciaretto and Paolini respectively.

"After the matches, both girls blamed themselves," Zhang Shuai said. "I told them, ‘You haven’t failed; we have only come one step closer to success. Every achievement is built on multiple failures.’ I said, ‘You are great and did well. Look at yourselves — victory was just within reach. The quarterfinals and semifinals were very close; we almost touched them.’"

"They kept replaying a particular lost point after the match, but they should let it go. Sometimes I don’t think about it after matches because time can’t be reversed. If you don’t choose to move on, no one else can do it for you. That’s tennis, that’s professional sports. What we can do is make tomorrow better."

This is the wisdom Zhang Shuai has gained from her own ups and downs. A year ago, she once considered retirement, but now her "fighting spirit" still burns strong, preventing her from stopping. "I know I can play well; last year at this time, I wasn’t sure," she said. "So I always tell the girls: ‘You are much stronger than you think. You must trust yourself and your abilities because everyone is better than they imagine.’"

Zhang Shuai’s opponent in the second round will be compatriot Wang Xinyu. Regarding this, she said, “Whether it’s me or Wang Xinyu, I hope we both perform well and keep pushing our limits — that’s the most important thing. The next match is no different for me than any other; I will do my best to be myself and show my best side.”

(Translation by Wang Fei, photo courtesy of Visual China)