Shang Juncheng has become one of the breakout stars on the ATP Tour this year. The Chinese lefty won his first ATP Tour title in Chengdu, reached two more tour-level semi-finals and the third round at the US Open and Australian Open.
Speaking to ATPTour.com as part of our Next Gen 'My Influences' series, the 19-year-old recalled his memories of playing against Carlos Alcaraz in Melbourne, the support his former-professional athlete parents have had on him, and much more.
Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion did you enjoy watching most when growing up?
I think definitely Carlos Alcaraz. There were some insane shots and because Next Gen, there are only singles lines and there's no doubles lines and the net is really close, it helps with around-the-net shots. With Carlos, he is one of the quickest players, so I think that helps him a little bit hit the exciting shots.
Last year, Hamad Medjedovic was cruising through, very powerful. He was playing very well and just [I enjoy] the tournament and all the players are really fun.
Which former Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF champion do you most identify with?
[Hyeon] Chung won the first year and I think he kind of plays like Novak. He said his idol was Novak and he tries to play like him. It is kind of similar to me as well. Try to be flexible on the court, kind of counter-punching. Chung is a lot stronger [than me], but maybe I’m a little bit quicker on the court. I would say he is the most similar to me.
Who out of the former champions is your biggest idol and do you remember your first encounter with them?
I played Alcaraz at the Australian Open. Unfortunately, I had to retire after two sets, but that was such a fun experience to play him on Rod Laver and to see someone just two years older than me competing at the highest level. He's one of or the best player in the world at the moment, so that was just really fun.
Who have been your other biggest influences?
I think my parents. They were both athletes and dad played football. Mom was a professional table tennis player as well, so I think they have some connection to tennis. With sports, they're all kind of related. My dad has been with me every day — in practise, day in, day out, to tournaments since I started playing tennis. We just grew up together as a family and as a team to learn the sport.
What have you learned this past year on Tour?
I would say I have learnt about time. Time is difficult sometimes. You don't have too much time to think about other things. Sometimes it's just in a few seconds that you have to make a decision. Some decisions are tough. You lose some and then sometimes you win. I think it's just [important] to keep a calm head and have a good attitude towards everything.
What sort of attributes do you look for when bringing people into your team?
I think first of all, in a team you have to get along. It doesn't matter the ability of the person or how well they work. You need to have a fun environment that everybody is used to. Also maybe the coach, the physio, the fitness coach, they need to like the environment so they can work 100 per cent and be 100 per cent focused. I think it's like a family that you're building. You have to give it a try and sometimes some people you just don't connect [with] too well. For me, it's just connecting and having fun. That is the most important thing.
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