How COVID-19 Shaped the Rise of Chinese Men's Tennis

Abstract

This thesis explains why Chinese men’s tennis improved so quickly after COVID-19. Before 2022, no Chinese man had ever reached the ATP top 100. Between 2022 and 2024, four did: Zhang Zhizhen, Wu Yibing, Shang Juncheng, and Bu Yunchaokete. The thesis argues that the key change was not talent or funding, but structure. COVID reduced domestic obligations, extended overseas training, and increased access to international coaching, creating the same kind of flexibility that the 2008 danfei reform had earlier given Chinese women. Using ranking data, tournament records, policy documents, media coverage, and an interview with Shang Juncheng, the thesis finds that structural autonomy mattered most. Players improved when they had more control over coaches, schedules, and training bases.