Champion finish! Zhang Shuai concludes her 2025 season

Despite the lack of major tour tournaments and most top players being on their off-season, there have been many exciting moments in tennis lately. The news of 15-year-old Chinese girl Sun Xinran winning the Orange Bowl J500 title went viral. At such a young age, she claimed an adult W15 title in the past two months (breaking the record for the youngest Chinese female to win an adult event) and became the first Chinese player in history to win the US Orange Bowl J500 championship.

It’s worth noting that past champions of this event include Grand Slam winners like Gauff, Wozniacki, Kenin, and Andreescu. Although the tournament’s significance has somewhat diminished after recent ranking reforms, it remains an important competition. Zheng Qinwen also reached the final here but lost to Gauff, missing out on the title.

The new generation is shining, and as the senior leader of the current Chinese women’s tennis team, Zhang Shuai has also performed impressively. After strong singles showings in several Japanese women’s events in recent weeks, Zhang partnered with Bouchard as the top-seeded duo in the WTA 125K doubles event in Limoges. The pair displayed excellent teamwork, advancing to the final and ultimately defeating Jacquemot/Ponsé 6-3, 6-1. Zhang claimed her third WTA 125-level doubles title of her career.

Among Zhang Shuai’s 26 career doubles titles, besides two prestigious Grand Slam doubles crowns, she has won 13 WTA Tour titles, 3 WTA 125K titles, and 8 ITF doubles championships. After winning the Limoges doubles title, Zhang’s team earned 5,220 euros and 125 ranking points. However, since Zhang’s doubles starting points are 195, her doubles ranking remained at 16th without improvement.

Born in 1989, Zhang Shuai is a veteran who began competing professionally at age 17. This year marks her 19th season on the tour, an age when many players have long since retired. Yet Zhang’s 2025 season not only yielded satisfying results but also demonstrated remarkable endurance and consistency.

In singles, Zhang posted a 41-17 win-loss record, secured three ITF titles, and returned to the top 100 in the world rankings. In doubles, she also won 41 matches (losing 21), capturing 2 titles and finishing runner-up 4 times. Her doubles ranking even reached the top 10 during the season.

Including her mixed doubles Grand Slam results, Zhang played over 130 matches this year, an impressive workload! We look forward to Zhang continuing to compete healthily and achieve more victories next year.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Barbie)