Journey To Jeddah: Shang soaking in spotlight

Shang Juncheng is a teenage sensation — a “compound of menace and energy” according to analyst Robbie Koenig — who overwhelms opponents with relentless force. With a contagious smile and a teddy bear always attached to his tennis bag, the 19-year-old is enjoying his journey as one of the sport’s fastest rising #NextGenATP stars.

The word ‘historic’ is often associated with the Chinese teen, who this year became the first player from the Asian country to win an ATP Tour title on home soil. Led by his triumph in Chengdu, Shang has his sights set on being the first Chinese player to qualify for the 20-and-under Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which has featured champions such as Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

“I've had an amazing year and the Next Gen ATP Finals is very important for my future,” Shang said in our new ‘Journey To Jeddah’ series. “In that event, all the tennis spotlight is on you because you know there are only eight players.”

Fittingly, Shang's ascent has been fast — the very word his coach Martin Alund used to describe what initially stood out about the lefty. “At the beginning, I was like, ‘Oh, I cannot believe how fast you are!’” Alund recalled in the longform video, which also features an interview with ‘Jerry’s’ father Shang Yi.

While fans have become more familiar with Shang, the 19-year-old’s season, from his perspective, has been more about accomplishing goals than a surprising breakthrough. He remembers telling a friend earlier this year that he would capture his maiden tour-level title before his home tournament in Beijing. Shang achieved that with no time to spare. He defeated Lorenzo Musetti in the ATP 250 final just two days before he was competing in Beijing.

“I was really tired after the final, but they had tiramisu — that was the first thing I went for,” Shang said while cracking a big smile. “I was so happy that for two days I could not sleep.”

 

In October, Shang cracked the Top 50 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time. He has soared on big stages this year, reaching the third round at the Australian Open and US Open.

Shang’s 2024 results are a testament to his hard work. The Argentine Alund, who has been travelling with the teenager since March 2022, not only sees positive qualities in Shang on court, but also away from tennis.

“To see a kid as talented as him, as young as him, always ready to go to the gym, always ready to go to the practice courts,” Alund said. “He’s never missing a session. Never.

“He’s such a great kid. Whatever you see from the outside, is inside as well.”

Shang is fourth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Jeddah as he pursues qualification for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF, which runs from 18-22 December. Arthur Fils holds a runaway lead with Alex Michelsen and Jakub Mensik sandwiched in between the Frenchman and Shang.

“Being at the Next Gen ATP Finals [would] mean everything to me,” Shang said. “Some of the best players have played that event, coming up when they were young. It’s something special for sure.”

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