At 36, China’s Zhang Shuai has proven that age is just a number. On Thursday, she secured her spot in the women’s singles main draw at Wimbledon, defeating Thailand’s Lanlana Tararudee in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.
Zhang’s victory in the qualifying rounds marks a significant milestone in her career. “I can’t even remember how many times I’ve played at Wimbledon, but this is my first time making it through the qualifying stage,” she said after the match. “This means I have now qualified for the main draw at all four Grand Slams, and I’m so happy because this was a childhood dream of mine. To achieve it again at 36 makes me especially proud of myself.”
She becomes the sixth Chinese player to enter the tournament this year, joining Zheng Qinwen, Wang Xinyu, Yuan Yue, and Zhu Lin in the women’s singles, along with Bu Yunchaokete in the men’s singles bracket at the All England Club.
Zhang, a seasoned veteran making her 48th Grand Slam appearance and 11th at Wimbledon, will be unseeded in the main draw. Despite this, her determination and experience make her a player to watch. “I hope I can enjoy every single day here at Wimbledon, and I wish for everybody to play well,” she added.
The tournament also features rising stars like Zheng Qinwen, highlighting the growing presence of Chinese athletes on the global tennis stage.
As Wimbledon kicks off on Monday, fans around the world will be eager to see how Zhang and her compatriots perform on one of tennis’s grandest stages.
