Buyun Chaokete: The Composure and Transformation of a "First-Year" Player

After wrapping up the China season, Buyun Chaokete’s 2025 ATP Tour campaign concluded. Following his transition from Challenger events to the main tour last year, this year was his first complete ATP Tour season. He reached a personal best ranking of No. 64 in mid-April and advanced to the quarterfinals at the ATP 250 events in Montpellier and Winston-Salem. Most importantly, he competed in nearly 30 tournaments throughout the year in good health and completed main draw appearances at all four Grand Slams.

Reflecting on his experience as a "rookie" on the tour, Buyun admitted that with stronger opponents and increased participation, the pressure in matches has grown significantly. Moreover, most of the tournaments he played this year were his first time competing there, so he lacked experience. "This year has been very new for me. I wanted to try many tournaments, and honestly, everyone around you is a star, making it very tough. With such a busy schedule, I haven’t yet established a solid routine, which is something I need to explore," he said.

Although Buyun Chaokete did not surpass his outstanding performance from last year’s China season—where he reached back-to-back semifinals in Hangzhou and Beijing—he earned more ranking points in 2025 than in the previous year. "My overall consistency and strength have improved significantly compared to last year. Now, when I compete against tour players, I feel no pressure and can play with ease, which is quite rare. Maintaining a positive mindset and motivation despite a packed schedule is, I believe, my greatest achievement this year because losing is always tough and not easy to handle," he explained.

At the start of this year, Buyun set a goal to break into the top 50. Although he is still some distance from that target, he has had multiple chances to make breakthroughs but narrowly missed them. He showed notable performances against top players like Fritz, Deminor, Medvedev, and Musetti but couldn’t convert those into wins. His relatively poor record in tiebreaks this season also drew widespread attention. Undoubtedly, with the competition intensifying, he faces a series of new challenges.

"I had many opportunities in the first half and middle of the season. Most matches were under my control, but I failed to close out at match points, service games to win, or in tiebreaks, leading to missed chances. I have a clear understanding of my level, and we are already working hard to overcome this hurdle, which requires great effort and dedication," he shared.

As these challenges became clearer, Buyun Chaokete chose to proactively seek change. In August, he began working with Belgian coach Marisse, hoping this experienced and well-known coach would offer "a different perspective" to help him identify areas for improvement. Meanwhile, his longtime Spanish coach Ricardo Ojeda Lara remains by his side.

For most of 2025, Buyun carried the title of "China’s No. 1" as he competed worldwide. Every time he stepped on the court, attention and expectations followed closely, and he increasingly felt what it means to be a star and idol. "When you play in Grand Slams and tournaments in China, all eyes are on you, especially when you are the only Chinese player. You can feel the support, the gaze, and the discussions from fans, which is a very powerful feeling," he said.

Buyun Chaokete is a modern player built on solid baseline skills with an aggressive style. He possesses excellent physical condition and remarkable resilience. For years, he has used the YONEX EZONE 98 racquet, which provides great power and comfortable feel. As competition intensifies, this powerful racquet helps him cope with opponents’ stronger shots, enabling him to hold his ground on the ATP Tour.

Buyun is a blazing force on the court but a calm lake off it. Speaking about his life outside tennis, he said, "Honestly, off the court, I’m quite relaxed, even a bit lazy, very easygoing, and enjoy the slow passing of time. Maybe because work keeps me busy—for example, the past month was just waking up to go to the court and going to bed thinking about whether I have to go to the court again—so my rest time moves at a very slow pace."

For the remainder of this season, Buyun Chaokete will compete within Asia. Looking ahead to 2026, his second year on tour will focus on consolidation, improvement, and seeking new breakthroughs. We look forward to him opening new horizons for Chinese men’s tennis.

Photo: Li Jianyi