Shang earns first ATP title as a reward for a job well done

Óscar Belloch | 25 Sep 2024 | 12.16

Juncheng Shang with his first ATP title. Photo: Getty

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Juncheng Shang is one of the names to follow for the past couple of years. Born in Beijing, China, and raised in a 'different' tennis way than that of an Asian player, he achieved his first title this week at the ATP Chengdu 2024.

Few tennis players can say they won their first ATP tournament in their home country, but Juncheng Shang is one of them. Born in 2005 and standing at 1.80 meters tall, he might seem unassuming with still adolescent-like features, but 'Jerry' has arrived on the ATP circuit to stay. He is fast, talented with a two-handed backhand, and possesses a very complete game. Although still a bit erratic, he seems destined to be one of the top Asian players in tennis in the coming years.

In the final against Lorenzo Musetti, he only lost his service once, and throughout the tournament, he only dropped one set, in the match against Roman Safiullin. This showed an evolution in his mindset compared to other tournaments this year where he faced tough defeats, like the notable comebacks against Casper Ruud in the US Open or Grigor Dimitrov at Wimbledon.

- A 'different' upbringing

Shang was privileged - his father was a footballer and his mother a table tennis player, instilling in him the values of sports and helping him navigate situations on the court. Moreover, he had a clay court at his mother's workplace, practically for himself, enabling him to enhance his court mobility and adapt to conditions uncommon for Asian players. The versatility he offers stems from those years of being able to play on two surfaces simultaneously.

- Emilio Sánchez was impressed with him

Even before we saw Shang on the ATP circuit, a legend like Emilio Sánchez stated, "Fans will be amazed by him. Despite being short, he has a great physique that allows him to stay strong on the court. He executes things smoothly and neutralizes opponents' power in a very pleasing manner."

- His inspirations

Shang appeared at a press conference at the ATP 500 Beijing, where he will play his first match against a compatriot, Bu Yunchaokete: "More than one player has motivated me to get here. Zhizhen Zhang was the first to break into the TOP 100, but I don't want to compare myself to others. Every person is different, and I try to learn from all of them. The current state of Chinese tennis is very good."

"Regarding the serve, I am short, but there are players like Daniel Evans who are even shorter and have a very good, aggressive serve. I can learn from that, and if I want to improve, I must try to hit the corners. Every day, I strive to enhance it."

- Dealing with pressure

"I feel pressure when thinking about victories or defeats, and when I played at home on other occasions, I felt it. This year, I've learned to focus on myself. Enjoying tennis is difficult, it's challenging for some players, but I try to savor every moment. Relaxing helps me elevate my game."

- Choosing tennis as a sport

"I really like football, but my father suffered a serious injury, so they thought playing tennis would be safer for me. I enjoy sports in general, and my parents have always told me to enjoy what I choose and not put pressure on myself. Pressure really comes from within. And as for age... it's just a number; what matters is being prepared to compete."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Shang y un primer título ATP como premio al trabajo bien hecho