“It’s about making history and for the country,” says tennis star Yibing after becoming the first Chinese man to beat a former top 10 player.

Yibing, 23, became the first Chinese man to win an ATP Tour title on Sunday with a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-6(12) win over American John Isner. Dallas Open. Yibing saved four championship points en route to becoming the first Chinese man to beat a former world top ten player.

It’s not just about winning the title, but I think it’s more about me personally making history and also for the country. It’s huge for the next generation. For me, I have to keep going, keep my body healthy. I’m sure there’s more to come, Wu said after winning the title in Dallas.

Hailing from Hangzhou, Wu’s father is a former boxer and his mother took the young Wu to train when he was younger. The Chinese young man had started playing tennis at the age of six to lose weight, which his mother demanded.

“I made history for myself and my country” – China’s Wu won the first title # #WuYibing @ShLetsMeet @ShanghaiMasters #ATPDallas pic.twitter.com/cr2YcR7aaq

DragonTVofficial (@ShanghaiEye) February 13, 2023

At the age of 12, Wu began training with coach Carlos Rodriguez, former coach of two-time Grand Slam Chinese tennis player Li Na and former world number one Justine Henin in Beijing before moving to Spain to train under coach Nahum. Garicia Sanchez. In general, the Chinese players worked a lot on the initial situation. Missed some shots like slicing like volleys. So that’s something I’m missing from my junior training time that I’m looking forward to improving, Wu had said earlier about his ATP Tour time in Europe.

In 2017, Wu had created history by winning the US Open junior singles title as well as the doubles title, making him China’s first boys’ slam singles champion. In the final, Wu defeated Argentinian Alex Geller 6-4-6-4. In 2018, Wu won his first ATP Challenger title in Shanghai and in the same year he received praise from Roger Federer. “I also did in ’98 that he (Wu) plays in a tournament like this and started playing against the best,” Federer had said during the ATP Rolex Masters in 2018.

However, Wu suffered an elbow injury the next year, which forced him out of the game for nearly three years. He returned last year and won three ATP Challenger titles before reaching the US Open. The Chinese youngster reached the third round of the US Open before suffering a loss to former world number one Daniil Medvedev. Wus’ 15-match winning streak before a third-round exit, along with his three ATP Challenger Tour titles, boosted his world ranking from 1749 to 174 and later into the top 100. It also earned him the ATP Tour Comeback of the Year award.

I believe that I am mentally prepared to overcome any injuries that I may face in the near future. My body is not strong enough like other players, so I am ready to put in more effort in the gym and in the stretching room. One of the most important lessons I have to learn is injury prevention.

Wu was also one of three Chinese players to appear at this year’s Australian Open. But sometimes Wu also faced a coaching problem when his mother wanted him to change coaches. In early 2019, Wu had to part ways with coach Sven Groeneveld after eight months of training after the coach blamed Wu’s mother for the breakup.

My Coaching Update: I no longer work with Wu Yibing. In my opinion. He has the right to have a coach whose views are more in line with his mother’s. “I want to thank Wu Yibing for a great past eight months, winning a silver medal at the Asian Games and his first win on the ATP Tour,” Groeneveld tweeted in 2019.

Currently, he spends his time in the United States training at various centers. Tennis is a lonely sport. I don’t have many friends on Tour. I missed these tournaments for a few years. My coach and my physio, they have to keep me going, keep me hungry to play matches and keep me fit. All these little things make a team. Here I can relax after a long day of training. I can just relax on my bed and watch some great games. Wu had told the ATP tour.

The young tennis star is also a sensation on Chinese social media, where she regularly interacts with fans through live broadcasts. I do it because I have free time and I want to talk to someone. Instead of playing video games, I decide to do a live stream and interact with all the Chinese fans. Maybe some junior players will be inspired by it. “I think having supporters is never a bad thing,” Wu said.

Wu has now risen to No. 58 in the ATP rankings, and his title in Dallas also drew praise from Isner. The American had crushed 44 aces in the final against Wu before the Chinese prevailed. I swear I thought I was going to win the match a few times. I know he hit one ball and it had to be in the sixteenth of the lane. Sports can be cruel. “He’s an incredible ball striker and a very good talent,” Isner said.

As for Wu, he will be live-streaming with fans after winning the title and warning other players. I’ve been through a lot of things. I think the reason I’m relaxed on the tennis courts is because I trust myself. “If you want to beat me, you have to work hard,” Wu said.