In an exclusive interview, rising Chinese tennis star Bu Yunchaokete shared his aspirations and insights as he continues to make waves in the sport. Recently, the young athlete has made headlines by reaching the semifinals in both the Hangzhou Tennis Open and the China Tennis Open. During a signing ceremony in Hangzhou, he discussed his ambitious goal of breaking into the ATP Top 50.
“The goal is not too far, but it’s not too close either,” Bu said, reflecting on the challenges ahead. “The Top 50 is a significant milestone, but I have a lot of confidence in my abilities. I just hope to stay healthy and follow my ideals to achieve this plan.”
This year has been a pivotal one for Bu, marked by significant breakthroughs. He began by winning his first Grand Slam match in the qualifying round of the French Open, followed by making his debut in the main draw at the US Open. Upon returning to China, he showed remarkable performances, culminating in his impressive runs in recent tournaments.
In September, Bu reached the semifinals of the Hangzhou Tennis Open, and not long after, he delivered an outstanding performance at the China Tennis Open. He notably defeated fourth-seed Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals, making history as the first Chinese male player to advance to the semifinals at the China Open. As a result, he achieved his highest-ever world ranking at 69.
Despite the demanding tournament schedule and the pressure it brings, Bu has maintained his competitive edge. “Tennis is inherently intense with at least 18 weeks of tournaments each year,” he remarked. “I need to manage that, and it requires support from my team and coach to help share the pressure.”
Bu emphasized the importance of his mindset as well. “When I step onto the court, it’s just me. I have only one belief: I believe I can win. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t walk onto the court.”
Bu’s commitment to winning is evident in his powerful play and determination to climb the rankings. After reaching the quarterfinals in Hangzhou, he confidently stated that he belongs in the top 100, a goal he quickly achieved. Now, with a world ranking of 69, he has set his sights on breaking into the Top 50.
“I knew I belonged in the top 100 based on the quality of my training and work,” Bu explained. “To be honest, I haven’t fully grasped what it takes to reach the top 50 until recently. But now that players like Zhang Zhizhen have broken into the Top 50 and Shang Juncheng is close, it motivates me greatly, and I feel very confident.”
Bu’s journey is not just a tale of sport; it’s also one of inspiration. Born in 2002 in the Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, he started training at the Huzhou Tennis Center before becoming part of the Zhejiang provincial team. His dream of competing against the world’s top players is becoming a reality.
Returning to Hangzhou, where he has lived and trained for nearly 15 years, Bu signed a partnership with the ROGT brand, aiming to promote fitness and tennis culture across the community.
At the event, Bu encouraged young athletes to pursue tennis despite its challenges. “This path can be tough, but I hope they persevere. We’ve made history in our era, and there will be more young people to follow in our footsteps. Anything is possible. Tennis is a captivating sport, and I hope more youths get involved and stick with it.”
