WTCC Finale: Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen Shine at Home, Join Forces with Rublev to Claim Championship

On December 28, 2025, the World Tennis Continental Challenge (WTCC) wrapped up amid passionate applause from Shenzhen spectators. The World team, including China’s own Wang Xinyu and Zhang Zhizhen, together with elite players Rybakina and Rublev, triumphed over the European squad—consisting of Swiatek, Bencic, Kovalík, and Vachero—with a final tally of 15-7, securing the first-ever championship.

Sunday at Shenzhen Universiade Center was filled with roaring crowds; cheers, shouts, and the crisp sound of racket hits blended together. Every thrilling rally and crucial break point sparked standing ovations and waves of applause. Both teams performed superbly, exchanging fierce baseline rallies and exhibiting nimble, precise net play, making each point intensely gripping.

The first men’s singles match of Stage S4 featured this year’s Shanghai Masters surprise champion Vachero, who dominated with powerful serves to seize control. After two fierce sets, he defeated Chinese star Zhang Zhizhen 6-3, 7-6(3), earning 3 points for the European team. Next, the new WTA Finals champion Rybakina outperformed Bencic in clutch moments, delivering 11 aces en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory, securing a crucial 3 points for the World team. With one win apiece in S4, the World team led 9-7 going into the decisive S5 stage.

The S5 stage opened with mixed doubles featuring Swiatek/Vachero against Rybakina/Rublev. Since each match in S4 and S5 awarded 3 points, a win here would clinch the championship early for the World team. The World duo of Rybakina and Rublev, playing mixed doubles together for the first time, showed remarkable chemistry and dominance, winning both sets 6-4, 6-4 to secure victory.

Although it wouldn’t affect the championship outcome, the final men’s singles match between Rublev and Kovalík was fiercely contested, thrilling the crowd with top-level tennis. Rublev emerged victorious 6-3, 6-4, finishing the tournament undefeated with 3 wins (2 singles and 1 mixed doubles) and a total of 8 points, becoming the key contributor to the World team’s triumph and extending the overall score to 15-7.

The champion team proudly ascended the podium as the tournament concluded successfully. The inaugural World Tennis Continental Challenge (WTCC) showcased the convergence of continental tennis talent at year-end, boosting the growth of local events and putting Shenzhen in the global tennis spotlight. This sporting city gained fresh vitality and heritage. We look forward to future editions where WTCC will gather more tennis stars and rising talents, building a broader platform for continental competition and exchange, helping Chinese tennis write more brilliant chapters on the international stage!