After dropping to world No. 595 following an agonizing 24-match losing streak, Zhang Shuai made a remarkable comeback by reaching the China Open quarterfinals. The unexpected run inspired the 35-year-old to set aside thoughts of retirement and focus on next season.
by sportswriters Gao Meng, Li Chunyu and Yang Boyi
BEIJING, Oct. 4 (Xinhua) -- Despite her best efforts, China's seasoned tennis player Zhang Shuai fell short in her third attempt to make the women's singles semifinals at the China Open after losing to Paula Badosa on Thursday night.
After their match, Badosa offered her heartfelt encouragement for the 35-year-old Zhang, saying, "Don't retire, you have really, really high level."
Zhang's journey to this point had not been easy. Before the China Open, she had endured an agonizing 24-match losing streak in the season.
地铁工作人员向轨交爱好者杨钧杰赠予了地铁的吉祥物，市域机场线虹桥2号航站楼站陈站长告诉澎湃新闻记者，“首班车虽然是6点开，但是杨钧杰5点不到就到了，把整个车站上上下下都兜了一圈。我们为了表示感谢，也为了留个纪念，就向他赠予了小礼物”。
佛山机场“爆改”前的候机大棚 每经记者 孔泽思 摄
The pressure and anxiety leading up to the tournament were immense, but Zhang met them with a steadfast resolve. She channeled her emotions into rigorous training, striving to overcome her doubts and improve her competitive form.
And it paid off, as the world No. 595 unexpectedly charged into the quarterfinals, matching her personal best and demonstrating a remarkable improvement in her spirits.
"In 30 years of playing tennis, I have never been so satisfied," Zhang noted after advancing to the last 16.
Her signature smile returned, and even after her loss to Badosa, she remained positive and optimistic about the future. She spoke no more about retirement. Instead, she set her sights on next year's Grand Slams.
"I'm really looking forward to the next year. I have plans for the doubles; I play with Kiki (Yang Zhaoxuan). And then for singles, [I'll] try to back to the top 200 and then try to win some Grand Slams or big tournaments," she revealed.
"I know that takes a lot of matches in lower level tournaments that award fewer ranking points, but I will give my all for every single match, just as I have been doing since I first picked up the racket."
After years of ups and downs, trying to adapt her playing style to an ever-changing tennis landscape, Zhang had a message for the younger generation, and perhaps also her peers, to remain committed to their goals and dreams - what she has been doing all the way.
"Every person has their dreams, and dreams can be very different. I'm fighting for it, I'm working toward it. That's why I want to tell every tennis player do not give up your dreams. Even if you can't do it, you can change your way. You will feel that it's worthwhile."
Zhang poetically reflects on her career加拿大pc28官网, saying, "Everyone is a different flower, with their own blooming period. I may not have bloomed early, but perhaps I have my own pace." ■