Wu Yibing Visits Ancient Drum Tower In Ningbo

The future of Chinese tennis could not be brighter with 18-year-old Wu Yibing leading the charge. But on Friday, the #NextGenATP star took a trip into the past while competing at the ATP Challenger Tour event in Ningbo.

Wu visited one of the oldest drum towers in China, located in the heart of the city. The teen, who is soaring up the Emirates ATP Rankings after lifting his first Challenger tilte in Shanghai in September, took a tour of the tower complex with his team – coaches Nahum Garcia Sanchez and Chen Yanbei and physiotherapist Antonio Torres. The three-story structure atop the city gate served as a war-time lookout post. The bell tower forms part of the ancient city wall, with portions of an old grain storage house used in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) still standing nearby.

“It is cool to see something like this in Ningbo,” Wu said. “We are always traveling and it’s nice to get away from the courts and see things in the city. There is a lot of history here. Thanks to the ATP for this opportunity.”

Photo shoot time with Wu Yibing at the #ATPChallenger in Ningbo ?? pic.twitter.com/Hvo5larbPD

— ATP Challenger Tour (@ATPChallenger) October 22, 2017

Wu, who also made his ATP World Tour debut at the Chengdu Open earlier this month, is coming off an appearance at the Shanghai Rolex Masters. He is up to No. 321 in the Emirates ATP Rankings and is looking towards 2018 as he continues to plot his ascent.

“I felt really nervous when I entered the centre court against Gilles Simon,” Wu said about competing at his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. “I was shaking a little bit, but I think I adapted well. I was thankful they gave me the wild card, but I need to keep playing my way and there is no pressure. I will focus on my tennis and not think about other things. It’s all about the work I do outside of the match court. The experience showed me that I have to work harder.”