Jerry Shang hoping energy of Hong Kong fans can kick-start return to top 50 in world
China tennis star hoping to shake off injury-plagued year, will begin season at ATP Tour event in Victoria Park
Jerry Shang Juncheng will launch his 2026 season at next month’s Bank of China Hong Kong Tennis Open, hoping a return to one of his favourite cities can kick-start a comeback to the top of the game.
After an injury-plagued 2025, the 20-year-old, who is currently training at Florida’s IMG Academy, said he was eager to begin a new chapter and fight his way back into the top 50 in the world.
Shang’s singles ranking has plummeted from a career-high No 47 in 2024, when he became just the second Chinese player to win an ATP Tour event, to world No 253 after a year which he said was “all about recovery”.
But there was the silver lining of a National Games medal, and Shang, who reached the semi-finals at Victoria Park Tennis Stadium last January before having to withdraw with the flu, said the city’s energy always gave him a lift.
“The tennis atmosphere in Hong Kong is the best I have felt in my career,” Shang said. “As a Chinese player, I will always try to play tournaments in my home region whenever possible.
“We spend most of the year abroad, so any chance to connect with Chinese fans is very precious.”