"What truly matters is what you do after a defeat"

Fernando Murciego | 3 Oct 2025 | 22.42

Jerry Shang and an interesting reflection in Shanghai. Source: Getty

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Juncheng Shang has been touring the circuit for a couple of months since his recovery, although positive results have not yet emerged. During his time at the ATP Shanghai 2025, the Chinese tennis player spoke about his health and ambitions in the draw.

After watching tennis on TV from January to July, Juncheng Shang celebrated his return to the circuit at the end of July, leaving behind a foot injury that turned out to be more complicated than expected. Things didn't go well in Toronto, nor in Cincinnati, and even less so at the US Open, where he ended up retiring in the first round. Now, with the arrival of the Asian tour, something is beginning to change. At the Masters in Shanghai 2025, the Chinese player celebrated a much-desired victory in the first round against Aleksandar Kovacevic, whom he defeated in three fiercely contested sets. Is this the beginning of something bigger?

Prior to arriving in Shanghai, it is worth noting that Shang had already participated in the ATP 250 in Chengdu, where he won a match (against Bergs) and lost the next one (against Nakashima), in addition to the first round he also stepped on in the ATP 500 in Beijing, defeated by the Frenchman Arthur Cazaux, also in three sets. The tournament's category is rising, and so is the player's level, so these days many are expecting great things from Jerry. After his victory over Kovacevic, we heard the oriental player talk about the feeling of playing in front of your people... and losing.

"Losing on the court always feels bad, but what matters is what you do after a defeat. I lost in the first round in Beijing after winning 6-0 in the first set, so it was tough afterwards. Despite everything, I felt like I gave it my all, my 100%, but the opponent was better than me. I was very frustrated that day, I remember Cameron Norrie asked me to practice the next day, and I told him no, that I had to play doubles. Today I think about it and say... why can't I continue training if I lose?" he pondered out loud in statements collected by ATP.

- Shang's key to facing Khachanov

Now Shang's challenge multiplies to the maximum height: Karen Khachanov in the second round. Fear of the challenge? Far from it, he is highly motivated. "Karen is a great guy, very friendly off the court, and I talk to him all the time. It will be a fun match, for sure, as a great player, it will surely be a very tough test. Playing against a top 10 player is never easy, they are never easy to beat, but I will do my best. I want to enjoy the crowd, that is the most important thing for me at this moment," declares the 20-year-old.

Juncheng Shang during a training session. Source: Getty

"Karen is 1.98m tall, so he will be able to serve with great leverage. He has overall skills, is a complete player, with agile movement and an above-average way of returning. He is a clear example of a top 10 player, very consistent; we have trained together before. I know he is not as flexible as me, but his shots are very powerful; he will use them to exploit my weaknesses. In general, I need to adopt a positive attitude to enjoy the match, that's what matters," emphasizes the current world number 238.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, “Lo que importa de verdad es lo que haces después de una derrota”