From Unknown Qualifier To Top 16 Contender

Lulu Sun: The New Zealand Tennis Star Making Waves at Wimbledon

From Unknown Qualifier to Top 16 Contender

Lulu Sun, the 123rd-ranked qualifier from New Zealand, has taken the tennis world by storm by reaching the fourth round of Wimbledon 2024.

Sun, born in a small town in New Zealand to a Croatian father and Chinese mother, has become the first player from her country to reach the last 16 of a Grand Slam in the Open era.

A Series of Upsets

Sun's journey to the fourth round has been nothing short of remarkable. She caused a major upset in the second round by defeating No. 8 seed and former French Open finalist, Elise Mertens. Her victory marked the first time a player ranked outside the Top 100 had beaten a Top 10 player at Wimbledon since 2017.

Taking on Emma Raducanu

In the third round, Sun faced defending champion Emma Raducanu in a highly anticipated match. Despite Raducanu's impressive form, Sun remained unfazed and produced a stunning performance to secure a 6-2, 5-7, 6-2 victory.

A Global Citizen

Beyond her tennis accomplishments, Sun is also known for her diverse cultural background. Born to a Croatian father and Chinese mother, she has traveled extensively and is fluent in Croatian, Chinese, and English.