Zhang Zhizhen becomes first Chinese man to qualify for Wimbledon

Zhang Zhizhen becomes first Chinese man to qualify for Wimbledon in Open Era to play in the main draw at Wimbledon after the world No. 178 booked his place by defeating Argentine Francisco Cerundolo 6-0 6-3 6-7(4) 7-6(6) in the qualifiers.

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The 24-year-old is only the fourth Chinese man to play singles in the main draw of a grand slam since the Open Era began in 1968.

No Chinese man has played in the singles since 1959. Wu Di (2013, 2014, 2016), Zhang Ze (2014, 2015) and Li Zhe (2019) have all played at the Australian Open.

It has been something of a mystery why Chinese men have failed to emulate the country’s women, who have provided many top players including Li Na who won the French and Australian Open titles before retiring in 2014.

Zhang Zhizhen is currently the only Chinese male player in the top 250 in the ATP rankings.