Thank You For Inspiring Me
Zhang Shuai: I think one of your sentences really inspired me. You said everyone sees that I have won the Grand Slam and every championship, but I have also won every runner-up.
Meeting at 2024 China Open
At the 2024 China Open, Fan Zhendong appeared as a guest for the coin toss and met Zhang Shuai. Zhang Shuai said at the time:
“Thank you for inspiring me! I think one of your sentences really inspired me. You said everyone sees that I have won the Grand Slam and every championship, but I have also won every runner-up. Before, I used to feel that I would only be happy if I won the championship, and if I got the runner-up, I would be very depressed. But through what you said, now after I enter the final, I also start to inspire myself and be proud of myself.”
Tribute at 2026 Australian Open
#Zhang Shuai Pays Tribute to Fan Zhendong’s National Games Victory Gesture#
As the 2026 Australian Open women’s doubles final concluded, 37-year-old Chinese tennis star Zhang Shuai successfully lifted her third Grand Slam trophy of her career. In this exciting moment, Zhang Shuai made a special gesture—she extended her index, middle, and ring fingers, paying tribute to Fan Zhendong with the “1-2-3” gesture. This interaction, bridging tennis and table tennis, instantly ignited the internet. Netizens joined the discussion, and the topic quickly became a focal point online, with everyone praising Zhang Shuai for this heartwarming and meaningful gesture.