Zhizhen Zhang's Tunnel: "I Need to Take It Easy, Without Skipping Any Steps"

Fernando Murciego | 1 Oct 2025 | 21.57

Zhizhen Zhang after being eliminated in Shanghai. Source: Getty

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After being out of competition for six months, the simple fact of seeing you back on the court should be a good enough feeling to smile and appreciate the long recovery process that always follows an injury. And of course, Zhizhen Zhang is aware of the process he is going through; in fact, he must be happy to have been able to play in several events on the Asian tour. However, we know well how professional tennis players are, highly dependent on their competitive level, a factor that is currently taking a back seat for the Chinese player.

Round of 16 at the ATP 250 in Hangzhou, where he defeated Bu Yunchaokete and lost to Dalibor Svrcina. First round at the ATP 500 in Beijing, where he said goodbye facing Terence Atmane. First round at the Masters 1000 in Shanghai, where on this last day we saw him fall to Sebastián Báez. In conclusion: one victory in four matches for the former #31 in the world last summer. Now, outside the top 300, the future of Zhizhen Zhang lies in having a lot of patience and not despairing, although easier said than done. These were his words after his latest defeat against the Argentine.

Defeat to Báez in Shanghai

“I did very well in the first set, I felt good, although I made some unforced errors. Then, at the beginning of the second set, I suddenly felt nervous, I don't know what happened. Maybe it was related to cramps; I was very focused but also nervous, which consumed a lot of energy. My opponent couldn't quite find his rhythm either; he gave me many opportunities, but I lost two service games, and everything became very difficult for me. Then I had some break chances in my favor, but I was too nervous, my rhythm was gone.”

Recovering his best forehand

“The feeling I have right now is that there is still a long way to go before having a fully developed forehand. It requires a long process, not just handwork, there is also a lot of leg work involved. Today, I also suffered cramps, which I had never experienced before; I had never seen myself with that expression on my face. I felt the cramp going from my buttocks to my calf, through the thigh; this was something I had never experienced. It is related to how I will be able to move in the future, both in training and in matches, so I will have to get used to that.”

Zhizhen Zhang in his defeat in Shanghai. Source: Getty

A long-term goal

“Patience cannot be seen in just one match; it is a cycle, so I need to take it easy, not skipping any steps. Today I lost; I feel frustrated; I wanted to win in front of all my people, in my hometown, but I want to win by playing well. Despite the defeat, I can say that I am proud of the efforts I made given the situation. For example, regarding my performance in the first set, my goal in 2026 is to follow those steps.”

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAKE COMPARISONS

“I have to prepare my endurance and physical capacity very well; right now it is very difficult to compare myself to my past self. I see myself ready to participate in matches, but I cannot compare myself to last year's version. For now, I am satisfied, although I still need a lot of preparation, I know I can do it. I am satisfied with the performance I have been showing so far.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El túnel de Zhizhen Zhang: “Necesito tomarlo con calma, sin saltarme ningún paso”

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