#NextGenATP star Shang Juncheng made history on Monday when he became the youngest Chinese player in history to crack the Top 100 in the PIF ATP Rankings. The 19-year-old climbed to a career-high World No. 89 after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP Challenger Tour 175 event in Bordeaux.
It is a special day for Chinese tennis as Zhang Zhizhen, the highest-ranked Chinese man in history, reached a career-high World No. 42. Shang joined Zhang and Wu Yibing as players from their country who have broken into the Top 100.
Two years ago, Shang was World No. 401 and 52 weeks ago he was No. 200. Now he is No. 89 and rising.
After reaching his first ATP Tour semi-final to begin his season in Hong Kong and advancing to the third round of the Australian Open, Shang told the media in Melbourne about his mindset.
“I actually spoke to my coach just before leaving pre-season coming to Hong Kong and to Australia. He says, ‘If you expect nothing, then everything you get is overachieving’,” Shang said at this year’s Australian Open. “For me, I've been just kind of having low expectations, just starting from scratch. It's always an opportunity for me to learn because last year I played one year on tour, this is my second year, so everything is still kind of new to me.”
Shang entered the year with a 4-11 tour-level record, but has shown consistency at the top levels of the sport. The teen owns an 8-8 tour-level record in 2024, and he has played eight of his 10 tournaments at ATP Tour or Grand Slam tournaments.
The hot start to the year has Shang positioned well as he tries to qualify for the Next Gen ATP Finals presented by PIF for the first time. The lefty is in third place, trailing only Arthur Fils and Jakub Mensik.
Shang will try to continue his ascent at Roland Garros, where he will play his first-round qualifying match Tuesday against Roman Andres Burruchaga.
Did You Know?
Australian Adam Walton also cracked the Top 100 for the first time Monday at World No. 95. One year ago, Walton was No. 288.
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