“I WAS TOO SHY TO APPROACH NOLE”: A Chinese girl (15) from Belgrade plays the round of 16 of Wimbledon and has big plans for the future!

They say she will be one of the best in the world in the near future. She is only 15 years old and already has a Roland Garros final in the junior competition behind her. Young Xinran Sun from far-away China arrived a few years ago in Serbia, where she is honing her talent and making huge steps towards the senior world of tennis, Telegraf writes.

-I am from Shenzhen. By Chinese standards, it is not exactly a big city. And I have known Goran, my coach, since I was seven years old, which is when I came to Belgrade to train with a friend. That is when I met the coach, and I truly think that he is a very good expert, with so much experience. I think it is a good choice to come here and train with him, I believe he can raise me to the level where I want to be.

This young girl is already among the top 15 juniors in the world, and she has found her home in Serbia.

-Here I feel more at home. Every time I say that I am returning home, I say that when I am returning to Belgrade. And I really like the weather and the club, I feel very comfortable.

Have you learned Serbian?

-Ooo (laughter)… Only numbers, very little. Jedan, dva, tri, četiri, pet, šest, sedam, osam… there, something like that.

Do you know that there is a large Chinese community in Serbia?

-Yes, yes, I know about that. There are also many players from China who come to Serbia to play because they have really good coaches here. I think it is good to see different coaches, a different country, it is really good here.

You played for the Roland Garros title, how do you describe that experience?

-When I went to Roland Garros, I didn’t know I could reach the final. Before every match, I gave 100 percent of myself and just played, let’s see what the score is. I was really happy and it is incredible to be in the final of such a tournament. Maybe I am just a little sad because I didn’t win the title, but I think that is really good, it is just the first step because it is still the junior competition after all. We worked hard and got a lot out of it.

Who is your role model? Qinwen Zheng maybe?

-Yes, of course! Her, but I must admit that I like Li Na the most. She is incredible.

Did you meet Novak Đoković at Roland Garros?

-I saw him a few times, it’s just that I’m a little shy to say… We never spoke, I missed the opportunity, but I think I will have a chance in the future…

Do you know our junior Anastasija Cvetković? She is the biggest Serbian young asset?

Tennis player: Of course, of course! Yes, we are very good friends and we played doubles together. She is really nice. We talk often and hang out.

Plan for Wimbledon?

-I am not sure because it is grass. That is really difficult for Chinese players because we don’t have grass courts in China. Maybe there are, but I have never played on it. And, no, I think I will just enjoy the tournament, it is an incredible tournament and also my favorite. Grass is so special, and I will just enjoy the tournament.

What do you expect from yourself in the future and among the seniors?

-Ouh! I really don’t know! I never think about that. I don’t know, I think for me it is only important that I always want it and work hard. I always go for the win and I never give up, always 100 percent.

Can you imagine yourself in the top 10, maybe in some, I don’t know, distant future, or maybe near future?

-Yes. I imagine myself in the top 100. Yes, yes, that is the first step. Well, we will see what the future holds – Sun concluded.

This young tennis player has already reached the round of 16 of Wimbledon where she plays today against the American Frodin, so we will see if she will reach the fight for the trophy in the second junior Grand Slam in a row as well.

What will remain for us for the future, if Xinran becomes a big star, is that Belgrade shaped her and that Serbia is, if not her first, then at least her second home.

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