The youthful force on the fertile land of Jiangxi ...
In April 2026, the Jiujiang International Tennis Center witnessed the brilliance of both the ATP and WTA. On this top-tier playing field, which gathered nearly a hundred professional players from around the world, there was a group of special individuals - they hailed from Jiangxi, they were the rising stars being groomed by the provincial team, and they shared a common name: the Jiangxi Tennis Corps.
Zhu Chenting: A rising star born in 2007 from Wuning
Zhu Chenting, born in Jiujiang, Jiangxi in 2007, is the most anticipated young player from the local contingent at this year's Jiangxi Open. Her tennis journey began in Wuning. At the age of 12, Zhu Chenting arrived at the Wuning International Tennis Center for training and officially signed up, marking the start of her professional tennis career. In this small city, which has been awarded the title of "National Tennis Demonstration County" by the General Administration of Sport of China, she received systematic and professional training.
Zhu Chenting's growth trajectory is eye-catching: in 2024, she represented China at the Bahrain World Summer Student Games, where she won the women's team championship and the women's doubles championship. In 2025, she ushered in a breakthrough year in her career - in March, she finished runner-up at the ITF W15 Sharm el-Sheikh station in Egypt, becoming the first Chinese player born in 2007 to reach the finals of the ITF adult group. In April, she qualified for the main draw of the tennis event at the 15th National Games. In July, she won the ITF W15 Ma'anshan station with a record of seven straight victories, becoming the first Chinese player born in 2007 to win the ITF adult group singles title. In October, she participated in the Jiangxi (Jiujiang) Tennis Open with a wild card, making her debut in the main draw of the WTA Tour. Her world ranking once became the highest among Chinese players born in 2007. In January 2026, due to her outstanding performance at the National Games, Zhu Chenting was commended by the People's Government of Jiangxi Province. This year, this Jiujiang girl once again participated in her hometown tournament with a wild card. From the training ground of Wuning International Tennis Center to the main stage of the WTA Tour, every step of Zhu Chenting's growth bears the imprint of Jiangxi tennis.
Hu Haoran: Accumulating experience on the international stage, from Nigeria to Jiujiang
Hu Haoran, a key player of the Jiangxi men's team, also emerged from the Wuning International Tennis Center. In February 2025, Hu Haoran traveled to Abuja, the capital of Nigeria, to participate in the ITF International Junior Tennis Championships J30 level event. On the outdoor hard court, he teamed up with Nigerian partner Anqi Ezeikele and made it all the way to the men's doubles final, ultimately securing the runner-up position. "This is my first time coming to Nigeria to compete, and I deeply experienced the enthusiasm of the audience for the match," Hu Haoran said in an interview after the match. This cross-border participation experience allowed him to witness opponents with different styles and accumulate valuable international competition experience. From the African stage to the Jiangxi Open stage in his hometown, Hu Haoran is gradually expanding his tennis territory.
Wei Jiangnan and Tian Yuxiang: Doubles partners, moving forward side by side
Wei Jiangnan, a player from the Jiangxi men's team, made his mark in local competitions in Jiujiang at an early age. In 2022, Wei Jiangnan won the U16 men's championship at the "Kangde Cup" UTR Jiangxi Youth Tennis Certification Tournament Jiujiang Station. In 2024, he continued to compete in the Tennis123 graded tournaments, and with his partner Yao Hanlin, they won the championship in the doubles competition after advancing through various rounds.
Tian Yuxiang and Wei Jiangnan form the doubles lineup of the Jiangxi men's team. The two have trained and competed together for many years, and under the systematic training of the provincial team, they have developed a good understanding. At this Jiangxi Open, this local doubles pair will challenge higher-level opponents in front of their hometown fans.
Jiangsu-Zhejiang Network: A "training ground" right at home
For Jiangxi players, the Jiangxi (Jiujiang) Tennis Open is much more than just an event. It serves as a practical platform for "training through competition". Without having to travel far, players can compete against top-ranked professional players from the ATP and WTA on their home turf. This high-intensity confrontation cannot be replaced by daily training - dealing with crucial points under high pressure and finding breakthroughs in adversity will directly translate into the improvement of competitive strength. It is a testing ground for "identifying weaknesses and making up for deficiencies". Through confrontations with domestic and foreign experts, players can clearly see their technical shortcomings and tactical deficiencies. As a provincial team coach said, "The problems exposed in training will give you the most authentic answer in competition." It is a booster for "team building". From the campus popularization of "National Tennis Demonstration County" in Wuning, to systematic training in the provincial team, to the experience of the National Games, and finally to the international stage of Jiangxi Tennis Open - this clear growth path is continuously supplying fresh blood to Jiangxi tennis.
From Jiujiang, Jiangxi, to the world
The Jiangxi (Jiujiang) Tennis Open is not only an international professional tournament, but also a "main platform" for the cultivation of Jiangxi's tennis talent pool. It witnesses the growth of local players and carries the hope for the development of Jiangxi tennis. In the future, with the continuous hosting of the tournament, it is believed that more Jiangxi tennis athletes will start from their hometown venues and move to broader stages.
