On January 20th, Beijing time, Chinese tennis star Zhang Shuai, who is currently competing in the Australian Open, candidly stated in an interview after advancing to the women's doubles quarterfinals that it was Fan Zhendong's competitive spirit that inspired her when she was trailing.
Zhang Shuai said, "I am often inspired by our national table tennis player Fan Zhendong, just like in the Paris Olympics, where Fan Zhendong played against Tomokazu, coming back from a 0-2 deficit to level the score, then again from a 2-3 deficit to level, finally winning the match 4-3 in a thrilling victory, which is very remarkable." It is worth noting that the 21st will be Zhang Shuai's 36th birthday, and coincidentally, the day after tomorrow (January 22nd) is Fan Zhendong's birthday.
This veteran of Chinese tennis also expressed that the experiences of Ma Long and Fan Zhendong have inspired her, "If they can do it, so can I. When we were trailing 0-4 at the start of this match, I encouraged myself in the same way."
Zhang Shuai's heartfelt remarks even earned praise from the Australian Open officials, who posted, "Until the very last moment, the outcome is uncertain. When faced with a narrow path, one must unsheathe their sword. Thank you, Fan Zhendong, for the passion and belief you bring us!"
In the previous third round of the Australian Open women's doubles competition, Zhang Shuai and her partner Meladonovic once trailed 0-4 in the first set, but their tenacity allowed them to level the score and drag the match into a tiebreak, where they won 7-3. Ultimately, the Zhang Shuai pair swept the No. 5 seeds Chan Hao-ching/Kichenok 2-0 to advance to the women's doubles quarterfinals. Zhang Shuai is currently the only Chinese mainland player still competing in the Australian Open.