Tennis’ growing popularity in China delights Zhang: “Suddenly they’re watching our Olympics final”

Zhang Zhizhen teamed up with compatriot Wang Xinyu to earn a silver medal for China at the Paris Games

Zhizhen Zhang, Barcelona 2024

December 26, 2024

Chinese tennis has grown from strength to strength in recent years with the likes of Zheng Qinwen, Shang Juncheng, Zhizhen Zhang, and Bu Yunchaokete making their mark. This has notably led to the racquet sport gain popularity among the Chinese, a trend observed by Zhang, who touched a career high ranking of world No 31 this year.

Zhang realised during the Olympic Games in Paris, where he teamed up with compatriot Wang Xinyu to earn a silver medal for China, that his fellow Chinese back home cheered for him in the final against Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac.

“If people are watching us do something and then trying to follow us, that’s great news for us,” Zhang told ATPTour.com. “Most Chinese people are watching table tennis or badminton at the Olympics, not tennis. But suddenly they’re watching [our Olympics] final live on TV. Right away, more people are knowing us and more people are trying to play, trying to learn. That’s really good.”

Coming in at second place is People's Republic of China 🇨🇳! 🥈

The #silver medal is taken by the Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen. 🎾@ITFTennis | #Tennis #Paris2024 | #Samsung | #TogetherforTomorrow pic.twitter.com/gAQg715Zgr
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) August 2, 2024

Zhang is currently on national duty again, gearing up for the 2025 United Cup. He will head the Chinese challenge in Group E along with the likes of Gao Xinyu, Zhang Shuai, Bai Yan, and Sun Fajing, starting against Brazil on December 27, 2024, in Perth.