Game of Thrones inspires Zhang Zhizhen at Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Hong Kong
But China’s Zhang admits he could be in for a surprise when he faces Jenson Brooksby of the US at Kai Tak Arena
China’s Zhang Zhizhen has admitted to spending long periods playing computer games late into the night as he explained his nickname for an innovative tennis event that begins at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Arena on Tuesday.
He has been dubbed “The Night Watchman” for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS), a faster-paced version of regular tennis that features interactive elements and informal names, whose eight players for the Hong Kong leg will include the city’s own Coleman Wong Chak-lam.
Zhang said his moniker was inspired by American fantasy drama television series Game of Thrones.
“So I knew about this name, The Night Watchman, and then combined it with my usual lifestyle,” he said after interacting with pupils during a visit to S.K.H. St. Michael’s Primary School in North Point. “Actually, when I sleep late, I play various games, and usually I play until very late.
“When I have been playing overseas alone, sometimes it’s quite boring, so I always bring my computer with me. That’s how the name came about, it means sleeping very late. But the pupils don’t have to know about this – playing computer games is not suitable for them.”
Zhang said his injured shoulder, which kept him off the tour for six months from March, was fine, and he just needed to regain match sharpness.