Hong Kong Open: rising Chinese star Jerry Shang ready to have fun while pushing himself
The world No 50, who faces the city’s No 1 Coleman Wong in the first round, had a breakthrough 2024 season but an unsatisfactory preseason
China’s rising tennis star Jerry Shang Juncheng is hoping to thrive under the pressure of being one of the favourites at the Bank of China Hong Kong Open as he takes on local rival Coleman Wong Chak-lam in the first round, which starts on Monday.
Shang, 19, said that he was coming into the tournament at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium off the back of an up-and-down off-season and wanted to have fun in Hong Kong while fighting for every point.
The world No 50 had a breakthrough 2024 season that started with reaching the semi-final of the Hong Kong Open before winning the Chengdu Open in September and qualifying for the Next Gen ATP Finals.
“Hong Kong is very exciting [but] doing so well last year and making the semis doesn’t guarantee me a semi-final spot this year,” Shang said.
“I’ve got to work for it and defend my points. There’s some pressure, but I’d like to take it and have fun on the court. I’m trying to achieve more, but there are things that I’d like to improve on the court, not just the results.”
In a strange moment of history repeating itself, Shang on Saturday picked Wong’s name out of the hat when he attended the tournament’s draw in Victoria Park to set up a tie against Wong.
