Advance to ATP Houston main draw: Wu Yibing returns from injury and starts again
Beijing Daily (Reporter Zhuo Ran) – On April 1st, Beijing time, the ATP250 level men’s singles qualifying final round in Houston concluded, with China Tennis Association player Wu Yibing successfully entering the main draw. After a six-month hiatus due to injury, Wu Yibing expressed a change in mentality and a determination to return to the tour stage.
Last year, Wu Yibing made history by winning the ATP Dallas men’s singles championship, becoming the first mainland Chinese male player to achieve such a feat. However, a left foot surgery following the Hangzhou Asian Games led to a long recovery period, causing his world ranking to drop to No. 268.
Returning as a wild card after his extended break, Wu Yibing displayed good form and secured his spot in the main draw by defeating Tabor and Yevseyev.
Reflecting on his recovery process, Wu Yibing recounted, “After the operation, I couldn’t even get out of bed for two to three weeks. It was a gradual process of removing the plaster, wearing protective gear, and using crutches for mobility.”
With a renewed perspective, Wu Yibing emphasized the importance of enjoying tennis while focusing on his health. He expressed optimism about his performance in the upcoming clay court season and aims to make a strong comeback to higher-level competitions.
Attributing his recent success to changes in coaching staff, Wu Yibing shared, “I now have two coaches – Ferreira for my US games and Baghdatis for my European matches. I am working on refining my playing style to eliminate unforced errors.”
In the first round of the Houston tournament, Wu Yibing is set to face the No. 6 seed, Thompson.