Tennis star Yibing says ‘It’s about making historical past and for the nation’ after changing into the primary Chinese man to beat a former top-10 ranked participant

On Sunday, 23-year-old Yibing turned the primary Chinese man to win an ATP Tour title with a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-6(12) win over American John Isner. Dallas Open. Yibing saved 4 championship factors and have become the primary Chinese man to file a win over a former top-10 ranked participant on this planet.

“It’s not just about winning titles, I think it’s more about creating history personally and for the country as well. It’s huge for the next generation. For me, I have to keep going, keep going Keeping the body healthy. I’m sure there’s a lot more to come,” Wu mentioned after the title win in Dallas.

Hailing from Hangzhou, Wu’s father is a former boxer whose mom took the younger Wu to coach throughout his youthful days. The Chinese teen began taking part in tennis on the age of six on the insistence of his mom to drop some weight.

‘I created historical past for myself and my nation’ – China’s Wu after successful maiden title #wu yibing #wu yibing @ShLetsMeet @ShanghaiMasters #atpdlas pic.twitter.com/cr2YcR7aaq

— DragonTV🚀䒕雅official (@ShanghaiEye) February 13, 2023

At age 12, Wu started coaching in Beijing underneath coach Carlos Rodríguez, former coach of two-time Grand Slam winner Chinese tennis participant Li Na, and former world primary Justine Henin, earlier than she skilled underneath coach Nahum. went to Spain for Garcia Sanchez. “In general, Chinese players, we’re working a lot on the baseline. We’re missing some shots like slicing, like volleys. So that’s something I’ve been missing since my junior time of practice that I’m trying to improve.” I’m trying ahead to,” Wu beforehand informed the ATP Tour about his time in Europe.

In 2017, Wu created historical past when he gained the US Open juniors singles title together with the doubles title, a feat which noticed him grow to be China’s first ever boys’ Slam singles champion. In the ultimate, Wu beat Alex Geller of Argentina 6-4-6-4. In 2018, Wu gained his first ATP Challenger title in Shanghai and in the identical yr, he gained reward from the likes of Roger Federer. “For him (Wu) to play in a tournament like this, to start playing against the best, is something I did in ’98,” Federer mentioned through the ATP Rolex Masters in 2018.

However, Wu suffered an elbow damage the next yr, which sidelined him for almost three years. He made his comeback final yr and gained three ATP Challenger titles earlier than qualifying for the US Open. The Chinese teen reached the third spherical of the US Open earlier than shedding towards former world primary Daniil Medvedev. Wu’s 15-match successful streak and his three ATP Challenger Tour titles earlier than a third-round exit noticed his world rating rise from 1749 to 174 and subsequently into the top-100. It additionally earned him the ATP Tour Comeback of the Year award.

“I feel I’m mentally ready to get well from any accidents which will come my approach within the close to future. My physique isn’t as sturdy as different gamers so I’m ready to work more durable within the health club and stretching room One of the vital classes I needed to be taught was methods to keep away from damage.”

Wu was one among three Chinese gamers to characteristic on this yr’s Australian Open. But there got here a time when Wu additionally confronted a training dilemma as his mom needed him to alter coaches. In early 2019, Wu needed to half methods with coach Sven Groeneveld after an eight-month coaching stint, with the coach blaming Wu’s mom for the break up.

“My Coaching Update: I am no longer working with Wu Yibing. In my opinion. She has the right to have a coach whose ideas match better with her mother. I have seen Wu Yibing in the past 8 months. Want to thank you for winning the silver medal at the Asian Games and my first win on the ATP Tour,” Groeneveld tweeted in 2019.

He presently spends his time within the United States, coaching at numerous centres. “Tennis is a lonely sport. I don’t have many friends on tour. I miss a few years of these tournaments. My coach and my physio, they have to keep me going, keep me hungry to play matches and keep me fit. . All these little things make a team. Here, I can relax after a long day of practice. I can just relax on my bed and watch some great sports.” Wu informed the ATP Tour.

The younger tennis star can also be a sensation on Chinese social media, the place he usually interacts together with his followers on dwell streams. “I do it because I have some free time and want to talk to someone. Instead of playing video games, I choose to do live streaming and interact with all the Chinese fans. Maybe some junior players from Be inspired. I guess gaining some supporters is never a bad thing,” Wu mentioned.

Wu is now ranked 58th within the ATP rankings and his title win in Dallas additionally gained reward from Isner. The American hit 44 aces within the remaining towards Wu earlier than China emerged victorious. “I swear I thought I won the match a few times. I know he hit a ball, and it had to be behind the sixteenth of the line… Games can be brutal. He’s an incredible ball striker. And a very good talent,” Isner mentioned.

As for Wu, after the title win, he’ll do dwell streaming together with his followers and warn fellow gamers. “I’ve been through a lot of things. I feel confident on the tennis court now because I have confidence in myself. If you want to beat me, you have to work hard,” mentioned Wu.