Year of the Horse talks about horses! Counting players whose names are related to horses!

With the arrival of the Year of the Horse, greetings to the readers of Tennis Home, and best wishes for the continued success of this public account!

Talking about the Year of the Horse! So, which stars have "Ma" in their names during this year? What stories have their journeys told so far?

At the forefront is Mahach, known as "Little Ma" by Chinese fans. After his victory over Alcaraz at the Shanghai Masters two years ago, he instantly became famous. He is known for pulling up his pants to reveal his strong muscles, which has become his signature style.

Riding the momentum, Mahach claimed his first career title last season at the Acapulco tournament. His maiden trophy was a 500-level event, highlighting the immense value of this victory.

At the start of this season, he performed well, winning a warm-up tournament before the Australian Open. Interestingly, he won the title in the same week as his compatriot Mensik, which is quite a fun coincidence. However, in the recently concluded Doha tournament's first round, he couldn't hold up long against world No. 2 Sinner.

When Mahach plays at his best, he has the ability to break into the top ten. However, he has yet to secure a seeded spot in any Grand Slam, so maintaining consistent form remains a critical challenge for him.

After discussing Little Ma, let's talk about Old Ma. Yes, the French veteran Mannarino. A few seasons ago, he even reached the position of France's top-ranked player. But unlike the Big Three, not every veteran can stay at the top late in their career; Mannarino’s ranking has steadily declined.

The French bald player is also known for a unique feature: the way he tapes his racquet, which has become a distinctive sight on the tour.

Among female players, there is also a Ma-related star, Emma Raducanu. Since her shocking US Open victory that year, the spotlight has never left this young woman.

However, such success stories are rare. The British girl seemed to lose her way in her subsequent career, with development falling short of expectations. Far from repeating her transformation from ugly duckling to black swan, even in regular tour events, her performance has been far from her peak, making further titles elusive. Her final opponent in that memorable match, Fernandez, also struggled to replicate those highlights but has managed to establish a more stable presence on the tour.

These three players connected to "Ma" represent the old, middle, and young generations. Will they shine even brighter in the Year of the Horse? Let’s keep watching!(Source: Tennis Home Author: Luo Cheng Qi Ye)