Tennis

Lulu Sun's remarkable Wimbledon debut has propelled her into the round of 16, a testament to her resilience and determination. Her journey to this stage has been marked by both triumph and adversity.During qualifying, Sun faced a daunting challenge against Gabriela Knutson. Trailing 5-6 and facing a match point, she summoned her inner strength to erase the deficit and secure a crucial victory. This triumph set the stage for her subsequent success.In the main draw, Sun stunned eighth seed Zheng Qinwen in a thrilling three-set encounter, marking her first Top 10 win. She repeated this feat against Yulia Starodubtseva, showcasing her ability to overcome adversity.On Friday, Sun faced another stern test against Zhu Lin. Despite saving two set points late in the third set, she ultimately prevailed in a nail-biting tie-break. This victory made her the first New Zealand woman to reach the fourth round at Wimbledon in the Open Era.Sun's multicultural background has played a significant role in shaping her character. Born to a Chinese mother and Croatian father, she has lived in New Zealand, Switzerland, and the United States. This diverse upbringing has instilled in her a sense of adaptability and resilience.Her mother's emphasis on education and discipline has been a driving force in her life. Sun pursued her studies at the University of Texas, where she played college tennis and helped the Longhorns win the NCAA Championship in 2021.After graduating, Sun decided to pursue her tennis dreams full-time. Her decision has paid off, as she is now poised to enter the Top 100 for the first time and earn a substantial prize money boost.Sun's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of embracing one's unique background. As she continues her Wimbledon run, she serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes everywhere.

Aleksandar Kovacevic's Wimbledon journey came to an end on Monday, as he fell to fifth seed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. Despite a spirited challenge, Kovacevic's hopes of upsetting the Russian were dashed in a rapid one hour and 46 minutes on No. 1 Court.Kovacevic, making his main-draw debut at Wimbledon, had never defeated a Top 10 player and entered the tournament on a four-match losing streak. However, his impressive one-handed backhand and comparisons to Roger Federer had raised expectations.Despite facing break points in just one game, Kovacevic struggled to make an impact on Medvedev's serve. The Russian won 65 percent of Kovacevic's second-serve points and delivered an ace on a second serve after Kovacevic had successfully challenged his first.Kovacevic's struggles on tour have been well-documented. Despite achieving a Top 100 ranking in January, he has found the relentless nature of the tour challenging. The 25-year-old, who delayed his arrival to the pro tour to attend the University of Illinois, admitted that the constant setbacks have taken a mental toll."It's been tough to be in Europe for a while and not winning much," said Kovacevic. "You try to find the things in practice that are positive and things to be excited about for the next week. But then you go and lose first round again and then you are like, 'Now I got to find things to be positive about again and try to be excited about the next week.'"Despite the disappointment, Kovacevic remains optimistic. He believes he has turned a switch and is setting himself up for success in the near future. The return to hard courts after playing on grass in Newport is expected to help his cause."At least I feel like I set myself up for some success in the near future," he said. "It's felt like I've turned a switch a little bit."Kovacevic's coach, Dante Bottini, believes that gaining more experience is crucial for his development. He also identified areas of Kovacevic's game that need improvement, such as his return and slice."The return side can be one of the areas to improve a lot," said Bottini. "The slice and how to play certain points. I think the most is to be a little more organized in his head and, 'I need to play this type of moment with a bit more decisions,' or, 'I cannot give him an easy mistake on this specific point.' I think that's the biggest part."Kovacevic's Wimbledon experience, despite the early exit, has provided valuable lessons. He hopes to build on the positives and continue his journey towards success on the ATP Tour.

Adam Walton's journey to the Top 100 of the ATP rankings is a testament to perseverance, dedication, and a refusal to accept limitations. After a standout college career at the University of Tennessee, Walton embarked on a professional tennis career with zero ranking points.Undeterred, Walton traveled the globe, competing in 90 matches in the last year alone. His relentless pursuit of victories and opportunities paid off, as he broke into the Top 100 in 2024.Walton's success is not without its challenges. Tennis is a sport of highs and lows, but Walton has shown maturity in rolling with the punches. "Winning is contagious but so is losing," he says. "But when it's winning, everything is flowing."Walton's ability to process defeats and continue his development is a key factor in his success. "I'm pretty good with my losses, and it's straight back to work to try and prepare for the next one."A pivotal moment in Walton's career came in the final of the Taipei Challenger. Facing veteran Illya Marchenko, Walton had the chance to reach the Top 100 and secure direct entry into his first Wimbledon main draw.With everything on the line, Walton remained calm and focused. "I just played a really disciplined tiebreak and he missed a couple of shots by very close margins."As Marchenko's final shot sailed wide, Walton fell to the court in jubilation. "When he hit that final ball out, it's probably the most satisfying feeling I've had on a tennis court thus far."Walton's journey is an inspiration to anyone who dreams of achieving something great. He took the road less traveled, never stopped working, and ultimately reached his goal.