Wu's comeback & Hangzhou homecoming
Wu Yibing was around 14 years old when he noticed a strange swelling on his left foot. The on-and-off pain was the result of a slight fracture that did not require immediate surgery, but doctors advised that it would likely need treatment in the future.
After nearly a decade of waiting, Wu opted for surgery late last year. It was a tough moment for the Chinese star who was in the form of his life. A fierce competitor with a fierce forehand, Wu triumphed at the Dallas Open to become China’s lone ATP Tour titlist in February 2023. He later hit a career-high No. 54 in the PIF ATP Rankings.
But shortly after the US Open, Wu was forced to put an early end to his dream year.
“I felt like it bothered me a lot last year after the grass season. Maybe the surface change and also the shoes, I didn’t feel really used to,” Wu told ATPTour.com at the Hangzhou Open, where he is competing in front of his home fans this week. “So I started to feel it more after grass and that’s why I decided to do the surgery after the US Open.”
[ATP APP]Since undergoing surgery, Wu has competed in just one ATP Tour event (Houston this year). Then he missed an additional four-and-a-half months. Wu did not compete from March 2019 until January 2022 due to several injuries, including issues with his elbow, which required surgery, his lower back, shoulder and wrist.
“I think the tougher parts of life always teach you something. I think we can all take these parts as motivation,” Wu said. “Mentally I will be even tougher because of the things I’ve [been] through. It’s not easy for everybody.”
Wu’s latest comeback featured a positive start. He immediately won his fifth ATP Challenger Tour title in August in Jinan, China. It was just his second outing of the year.
“That was very special. I feel like the work I put in before starting to play again was all worth it,” Wu said. “A lot of practice, a lot of effort outside the tournaments. A lot of work in the gym. Hopefully everything can come together, [I can] be healthy and play good tennis again.”
<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/08/24/12/51/yibing-jinanch-2024.jpg?w=100%25&hash=86502B8304761A06BCF6BC7CCA65E83C” style=”width:100%;” alt=”Wu Yibing triumphs at the 2024 Jinan Open.” />
Wu Yibing triumphs at the ATP Challenger Tour 50 event in Jinan. Credit: Jinan Open
For many Chinese fans, this year’s Asian hard-court swing marks the first time they can watch Wu in person since his rapid rise in 2023.
Competing this week in his birth city Hangzhou, Wu is making his first ATP Tour appearance on Chinese soil since 2018. It is a grand homecoming for the World No. 566.
“I actually drove by the West Lake a few days ago and the facility was right there. It brings me back. A lot of good memories,” Wu said. “As a young kid, four or five years old, playing with regular racquets, which were cleaning the floor!”
Nine months into the season, the wild card Wu will aim for his first tour-level win of the year when he faces #NextGenATP Coleman Wong in the first round.
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