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New Zealand's Lulu Sun has made waves in the tennis world as she made it to the quarter-finals of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships as a qualifier. Sun defeated home favorite Emma Raducanu in their fourth-round clash in an epic three-setter 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.
However, this is not the first time Sun has showcased her ability to play on the big stage. During her university days, she played for the University of Texas and led the team to become the National Champions in the NCAA division in 2021.
The Texas Longhorns squared off against the Pepperdine Waves in the final of the women's team event at the 2021 NCAA championships. In a closely-fought final, the Longhorns emerged victorious by winning the tie 4-3.
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It was Sun who stepped up for the Longhorns in the final singles match against Pepperidine's Pachkaleva with the score tied at 3-3. The Swiss defeated the Russian in three enthralling sets 6-4, 6-7, 7-5.
After the match, Sun admitted that she was running the danger of cramping up during the last stages of the four-hour epic. She admitted to hanging in the match and going all-out to clinch the title for her team.
“Honestly, at the end, I was going to cramp. So I was just like, survive the last few games and just throw everything I have. I guess it worked,” Sun said after the match (via the statesman.com)
The Longhorns had a successful title defense as they won the NCAA title back in 2022.
Sun changed her nationality to play professional tennis
Lulu Sun was born in Te Anau, New Zealand. However, her family had to shift to Switzerland when she was five years old. Sun initially played under the Swiss flag before she took up her Kiwi identity in 2024.
The decision took root during the ASB Classic in Auckland this year. Sun qualified for the main draw and secured her second main draw victory over Mccartney Kessler in the first round. She went on to lose against Varvara Gracheva. While playing in the tournament, Sun stated that she felt the atmosphere to be great. Sun also stated that she identified Tennis New Zealand as an organization that was on the right path of growth and development.
"I felt the energy of the crowd and I was really excited about that and also Tennis New Zealand itself. I saw the opportunity and growth it could have for the future,” said Sun (Via newsroom.co).
During the Billie Jean Cup 2024, Lulu Sun represented New Zealand as a professional tennis player for the first time.
Lulu Sun will look to become the second woman from New Zealand to make it to a Grand Slam semi-final
Lulu Sun has already created history as a Kiwi at Wimbledon. By reaching the quarter-final, she has drawn level with the achievements of Belinda Cordwell, who became the first Kiwi woman to reach a major quarter-final in the 1989 Australian Open.
Cordwell won her quarter-final against Catarina Lindquivist to reach the semis. She lost to Helena Sukova. Lulu Sun will look to emulate Cordwell's achievements when she takes on Donna Vekic in the quarter-final.
Lulu Sun is on a hot streak, as she has won seven matches on the trot to make it to the quarter-finals from the qualifying stage. Even if she loses, Sun is projected to rise 70 positions in WTA rankings to 53. A semi-final or a final spot might also see her break the top 50.
