Next Generation ATP Finals
Shang remains unchanged ahead of Jeddah bow: ‘I’m still a happy kid’
First Chinese star from home country to participate in youth showcase
December 17, 2024
Corinne Dubreuil/ATP Tour
Shang Juncheng begins his Jeddah campaign against Luca Van Assche on Wednesday.
Written by ATP Staff
Shang Juncheng’s success helped create a tennis boom in China. The 19-year-old, who is the first player from the country to participate in the Next Gen ATP Finals hosted by PIF, is now keen to be part of the growth of the game in Saudi Arabia.
“This event has had so many great players in the past and so many good champions,” he said. “So I think it’s really special to come here, especially to Jeddah. Maybe a few years ago there wasn’t much tennis going on, but now the WTA finals and the Next Gen finals are here. So I’m really excited. “
Shang enters Jeddah ranked in the top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings after winning his first tour-level title in Chengdu and achieving a career-high ranking of No. 47 in October. He lost only one set at ATP 250 and beat Lorenzo Musetti in the final. Despite his rapid rise up the ranks and more than $1 million in winnings this season, Shang remains the same guy as his game evolves.
“I still think of myself as a happy child.” he said “I try to be happy on the court and learn every day what I can do better and what I need to improve on. I think it’s the little challenges every day that make me a better player.”
Shang has a 5-3 record at Grand Slams this season (he was eliminated in the Roland Garros qualifiers) and has reached the second round of the main draw in all four ATP Masters 1000 events he has competed in. In addition to the Chengdu title, he cited his performances in major tournaments as a highlight of the season, taking particular pride in finishing the year without injury or illness.
Ironically, he suffered an eye infection early in the offseason but still enjoyed some downtime, enjoying some shopping and beach time while vacationing in Dubai. In recent months, Shang began a gluten-free diet as part of an overall effort to live a more professional lifestyle.
Shang’s parents were also an important influence. His father, Lee, was a professional soccer player. His mother, Na, was a world champion table tennis player.
“I think we have the same mentality of giving 100 percent when we go on the court,” he said of taking lessons from their sports careers. “They always told me: You have to be a competitor, but you also have to know your worth. Sometimes winning isn’t the most important thing. Enjoy it more. Enjoy the competition and enjoy people watching you. [the people] “Who is next to you is the most important thing.”
Shang and his fellow Jeddah competitors continue to learn about life as a professional tennis player, but their experience at the Next Gen ATP Finals provides a rare opportunity to compete exclusively among their peers.
“The eight of us here know each other inside out. We all grew up together, we’re all the same age,” he said. “It’s really special because on tour you’re playing with older guys that aren’t your same age, so I think it’s kind of a pressure when you come here to play with kids that are the same age as me.”
