Melbourne’s summer night fades as Chinese athletes shine brightly

As the final echo of the last stroke fades beneath the Rod Laver Arena dome, it marks the successful conclusion of the 2026 season's opening Grand Slam. The past two weeks at the Australian Open have been filled with countless memories and stories, with everyone pouring their all into this vibrant blue court in their own way. The Chinese team showcased an inspiring presence at this year’s Australian Open, writing their breakthrough chapters under Melbourne’s scorching sun with their rackets.

ASICS tennis ambassador Zhang Shuai and Mertens claim Australian Open women’s doubles title

ASICS tennis ambassador Zhang Shuai teamed up with Mertens to capture the women’s doubles championship at this Australian Open, earning her third Grand Slam title following her victories at the 2019 Australian Open and 2021 US Open. This achievement makes her the first Chinese mainland player to become a "three-time Grand Slam champion." This victory further cements Zhang Shuai’s top-tier status in women’s doubles and Chinese tennis history.

It has quietly been seven years since Zhang Shuai last stood on the Australian Open winners’ podium, and nearly five years since her last Grand Slam triumph. If the first two titles represented breakthroughs and proof of her ability, this championship signals a resolute comeback and an unyielding journey.

ASICS tennis ambassador Zhang Shuai

During this long period, Zhang Shuai has experienced all facets of a tennis career — the joy of climbing, the confusion of slumps, the challenges of doubt, and the solitude of perseverance. Though time has left its marks and the title of “veteran” has deepened, the flame in her heart to win another Grand Slam has never been extinguished. Carrying the weight of past defeats, external skepticism, and inner resolve, she has steadily moved forward step by step, ultimately standing once again at the pinnacle of the tennis world.

Even more exciting is that she and Mertens, who is about to reclaim the world No.1 spot in women’s doubles, have confirmed their partnership for the upcoming season. With two players combining skill and chemistry, their performance this season is highly anticipated. “This is our second time competing together in a Grand Slam,” Zhang Shuai said after winning, “the first time we reached the final, and this time we took the trophy. This moment is very special for us. We showed all teams our strength, beating many excellent opponents and facing every kind of challenge.”

ASICS longtime partner athlete Zhu Zhenzhen

China’s wheelchair tennis team shone brilliantly at this Australian Open, dazzling on the international stage. ASICS longtime partner Zhu Zhenzhen and her partner Ueda Yui advanced strongly to the women’s doubles final, eventually taking the runner-up position. As the tournament’s No. 2 seed, Zhu’s duo showed overwhelming dominance in the semifinals, losing only three games to decisively eliminate the strong Dutch pair De Groot/Van Koot, making their path to the final truly impressive.

This marks Zhu Zhenzhen’s third career appearance in the Australian Open wheelchair women’s doubles final, and her fourth Grand Slam doubles final overall. In the latest wheelchair doubles rankings, Zhu rose two spots to claim the No.1 world ranking, setting a new personal career milestone.

As the first Chinese wheelchair tennis player to qualify for a Grand Slam main draw through the qualifiers, Zhu Zhenzhen’s breakthrough not only rewrote her own history but also paved the way for the development of wheelchair tennis in China. Since then, the sport has gained more attention domestically, with many outstanding young players emerging. Zhu is not only an outstanding athlete but also a key promoter and pioneer of Chinese wheelchair tennis.

ASICS tennis ambassador Musetti

ASICS tennis ambassador and current world No.5 Musetti achieved his best performance at Melbourne Park during this Australian Open, breaking through to reach the quarterfinals at all four Grand Slams. In his men’s singles quarterfinal against Djokovic, Musetti displayed excellent form, once leading the match 2-0. However, a sudden injury to his right thigh in the third set forced him to retire despite his strong desire to continue, due to severe pain and the risk of further damage.

Being forced to stop just one set away from the Australian Open semifinals was undoubtedly a heavy blow for Musetti. At the post-match press conference, he expressed his disappointment: “Honestly, I never imagined having to retire while leading Novak by two sets and playing so well... It’s really painful.” Musetti has since announced he will withdraw from two clay-court tournaments in February. With adequate rest and recovery, this talented Italian is expected to return stronger and continue his pursuit of tennis’s highest peak.

The summer nights in Melbourne remain warm, yet the sparks of tennis are quietly illuminating corners of the world. The legend of the Australian Open extends beyond the glory of lifting trophies; it lies in the transformation and growth hundreds of players undergo through extreme competition. As the first Grand Slam of the year, it not only ignites a dazzling season opener but also stands as the earliest shining dawn that illuminates the spirit of human sportsmanship year after year.

(Written and edited by Wang Fei)