Zhang Heads Up High Ahead Of Historic Kitzbühel Appearance

Generali Open | Alexander Scheuber

Will the fresh mountain air power Zhang Zhizhen to an impressive debut this week at the Generali Open?

The World No. 53 will step on court against Dusan Lajovic on Tuesday as the first Chinese player to compete in the 79-year history of the Kitzbühel event. The ATP 250 takes place against the stunning backdrop of the Austrian Alps, and Zhang took a break in his preparations to visit the famous nearby Hahnenkamm mountain.

“It’s my first time here in Kitzbühel. They have very good views,” said Zhang. “For winter they have ski racing here. It’s impressive to see the jumps from here, which for me would be impossible."

^{_{Photo Credit: Generali Open | Alexander Scheuber}}

A highlight of the Hahnenkamm is the famous Streif downhill course, one of the most demanding on the professional skiing circuit. Zhang expressed a desire to return to Kitzbühel in winter to see the area under snow.

“In China we don’t really have too many places for skiing. We have some, but I live in Shanghai and it is not really snowing. I would like to see big snow [one day].”

Zhang arrived for his historic appearance in Kitzbühel fresh from reaching his maiden ATP Tour semi-final at the Hamburg European Open. Now on the brink of becoming the first Chinese man to break the Top 50 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, he is pleased to be leading a squad of emerging talents from his country that also includes Wu Yibing and Shang Juncheng.

“We are are playing more at ATP Tour level and improving our ranking,” said the 26-year-old. “So we try to play higher tournaments. I didn’t know I was the first one to come here [to Kitzbühel], but I am happy to be the first.”