Eager to Obtain a Chinese ID! Atmana Poised for Naturalization in China

“When I was a child, I used to watch Pokémon on TV, and everyone at school often talked about those cards.” Atmana is an avid Pokémon card collector, owning one of the largest collections in all of France. This 23-year-old French tennis prodigy has been steadily gathering wins and accolades on Chinese courts. After defeating Zhang Zhizhen in the first round of the China Open, Atmana’s world ranking climbed to 68. Not long ago at the Toronto Rogers Cup, he caused an upset by reaching the final, marking him as a rising star in men’s tennis.

Atmana’s connection with China is extraordinary. Of the four Challenger titles in his career, three were won on Chinese soil. In 2023, he claimed his second Challenger title at the Zhangjiagang event, then secured his third in Guangzhou. In 2025, he again triumphed at the Guangzhou Challenger. The French star holds a special affection for China, often describing his visits for training and competition as “going home.” This bond goes beyond words; Atmana has a deep love for Chinese culture and his favorite Chinese dish is dumplings. His success is not limited to lower-tier tournaments. In October 2023, Atmana qualified for the main draw at the Shanghai Masters and earned his first tour-level and Masters-level match wins. Step by step, he has unlocked many “firsts” on Chinese courts, making China a true lucky charm for his career.

Atmana’s tennis journey began with video games. Before learning tennis, he was obsessed with tennis video games like “VR Tennis” and “Wii Sports.” His mother, tired of him playing games all day, bought him a tennis racket so he could play in real life. Born on January 9, 2002, Atmana stands 193cm tall, plays left-handed with a two-handed backhand. His playing style is highly aggressive, similar to his idol, the “Chilean Cannon” Fernando González. “I like to hit every shot with full power; I want to seize every opportunity in front of me,” Atmana says about his style. “Every serve I try to deliver at maximum speed, and my forehand is very fierce… but it comes with some risk. My style is very intense.”

At the 2024 Australian Open, he reached his first Grand Slam main draw, winning the first set against Medvedev before retiring due to cramping. At the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, he defeated 7th seed Rune and 4th seed Fritz, reaching the Masters semifinals for the first time in his career, rapidly rising from world No. 136 to No. 69.

China’s sports naturalization policy already has precedents. In 2023, Kyle became the first naturalized player in Chinese men’s basketball history. In May 2025, the Chinese Basketball Association issued the “Management Measures for Naturalized Basketball Players,” establishing four key selection principles: cultural identity, bloodline priority, total quota control, and ability focus. Unlike basketball, tennis in China has yet to see large-scale naturalization efforts. However, Atmana’s strong emotional ties to China and his outstanding performance on Chinese courts make him a promising candidate for consideration.

Atmana has expressed that he often competes in China and has even said he “yearns to get a Chinese ID.” While this may have been an offhand comment, it sparked speculation about his potential naturalization. If successful, Atmana could become one of the most commercially valuable athletes in Chinese sports history. Young and with the potential to win Grand Slams or even reach world No. 1, combined with his unique personal charm—such as performing card magic and his passion for Pokémon—he holds strong brand appeal.

Naturalizing Atmana also faces many challenges. The Chinese Basketball Association’s regulations strictly prohibit naturalized players from holding dual nationality, meaning if the tennis association adopts similar rules, Atmana would have to renounce his French citizenship. Moreover, naturalization procedures require specific actions by clubs or associations. While the basketball association has delegated authority to clubs, tennis players’ individual status makes the naturalization process potentially more complicated.

From a technical perspective, Atmana truly has the potential to become a leading figure in Chinese tennis. His playing style is entertaining, his personal image stands out, and his emotional connection with China could help him integrate well into the Chinese sports environment. If naturalized, he would not only boost China’s competitiveness on the international tennis stage but also inspire more young people to take up the sport. Atmana’s court style is as dazzling as magic; this French guy who claims an IQ of 158—will he one day wear the Chinese team jersey? The answer might be like his favorite Pokémon card game: it requires strategy, patience, and a bit of luck.

China’s sports naturalization policy is continuously improving, and tennis, as a highly globalized individual sport, might be the perfect field to pilot new naturalization models. For Atmana, China has already brought countless victories and wonderful memories, making the prospect of future cooperation something to look forward to. (Source: Tennis Home, Author: Xiao Di)