'I don’t want to copy them, but I want to learn from them,' Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner stand as brilliant role models for the NextGen as 19-year-old Chinese ATP icon strives to learn from the best

While the likes of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal are still active on the Tour, Juncheng picked the players close to his age as inspirations. His reasoning for it was simple, wanting to look up to fellow youngsters who are making a big name and improve himself accordingly to take on the veterans on the Tour.

At the moment I have a clear direction: I want to be a very aggressive player, but at the moment I'm not as strong as I would like. Carlos Alcaraz is a model for everyone, just like Jannik Sinner. They are two of the young people who are making the best tennis. said Shang Juncheng, speaking with Tennis World USA

The teen was, however, clear of not wanting to imitate them. He still wants to carve his path but hopes to use the two Grand Slam singles title winners as inspiration on how to leave a mark from a young age.

I don't want to copy them, but I want to learn from them, as happened to me with Carlos in Australia. When I was in front of him I realized how he was capable of leaving you stuck so many times, but then there were other points where he allowed you to play. All these things are what I have to learn as a tennis player. added Shang Juncheng

Juncheng made the third round at the 2024 Australian Open. He defeated Mackenzie McDonald in five sets and then beat Sumit Nagal in four sets. Against Alcaraz, he had to retire due to an injury after the first game of the third set. He had lost the first two sets 6-1, 6-1 against the Spaniard.

Shang Juncheng picks Novak Djokovic as his favorite player

The Chinese No. 2, however, paid his tribute to Djokovic. While he praised Alcaraz and Sinner, he was respectful towards the Serb who remains the ultimate inspiration, hoping to get closer to his game.

My favorite player is Novak Djokovic. I can find some similarities with him, and I hope to get closer to his game in the future. said Shang Juncheng

The Chinese teen made his clay court debut for the season in last week’s Madrid Challenger. Although he lost in the second round, he used that practice to win the qualifying rounds at the ATP-500 Barcelona Open. He is now into the main-draw where he will take on Tomas Machac in the first round.

His best result for this season remains the semi-final run in Hong Kong before losing to Andrey Rublev. The Russian would go on to win the title defeating Emil Ruusuvuori in the finals.