New Zealand-born Lulu Sun performs at the ASB Tennis Classic in Auckland in January.Photo/Dean Purcell
Four weeks ago, Tennis New Zealand chief executive Julie Paterson was about to go for a morning walk when her phone rang.
Patterson told her husband Saturday when she saw the person on the phone.
The walk would have to wait. The resulting phone conversation was one that could stop Patterson in his tracks and change the sport.
“It was a huge moment. I was a little speechless,” Patterson said. weekend herald. “I had no idea what direction the decision was going to go. I had a pretty positive impression on the previous phone, but maybe not on the other phone. I don't know. When I got the call, I had no idea if I was going to get a yes or a no.”
Meanwhile, Southland-born Lulu Saint, currently No. 151 on the WTA Tour rankings, had just informed Patterson that she wanted to switch allegiance to the country after playing most of her career under the Swiss flag.
Here we give tennis lovers what they have been dreaming of for years. He is also a top-level singles player and has the potential to aim even higher. Sun qualified for the Australian Open last January and could qualify directly for a Grand Slam if she can move her ranking closer to the top 100.
Marina Erakovic was the last New Zealand woman to compete at that level in singles, and the only player of either gender to rank in the top 100 this century, while the last New Zealander to be a Grand Slam regular in singles The man was Brett Stephen in the 1990s.
“This is great news,” Patterson admitted. There will be a lot of interest as we watch her progress. ”
That charm was on display at this year's ASB Classic, where Sun became a crowd favorite with his run from qualifying to the second round, especially after media reports suggested he was considering representing New Zealand in the future.
Sun's family's ties to the country began in 1998, when her grandmother, originally from Nanchang in southern China, bought property in Te Anau.
“She wanted a natural place and New Zealand was the perfect place for that,” Sun told the Herald in January.
Sun was born there and lived there for five years before his parents moved to Switzerland. She later earned a scholarship to the University of Texas and played collegiate tennis for the Longhorns.
She competed in ITF tournaments around her college schedule and worked her way up the ladder, breaking into the top 500 in 2019 at the age of 17. However, her injury and the coronavirus pandemic hampered her progress thereafter.
The Sun competed in 14 events in 2021, winning an ITF $25,000 tournament in Portugal, reaching the finals in Spain and climbing the rankings within the top 300, becoming the first collegiate team to do so since 1995. He contributed to winning the NCAA title.
She will turn professional in 2022 and reached 214 years old by the end of last year. Although Ms Sun was part of the Swiss system during that time, she held a New Zealand passport and was always proud of her heritage.
“New Zealand is a part of me,” Sun said in January. “I've been to a lot of countries, but I've felt really comfortable in New Zealand from the beginning and I'm used to the culture. It's always nice to come back.”
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Chris Bint, who was only appointed as TNZ national team manager in December last year, was aware of Sun's background and contacted him through social media.
The next day, Bint spoke on the phone with Sun and her stepfather, Sinclair Hoffman, for 45 minutes. It was general chit chat, but Bint stressed that Sun could be at the forefront of New Zealand's program as a singles player, with up to three Olympic cycles ahead of him.
After their first contact, Vint and Sun met up in Auckland during the ASB Classic and took a walk around Mt Eden.
“We didn't really talk much about the switch at the time, just trying to get some insight into who she is, her values, and what she represents as a person. I did,” Vint said.
At the end of a week that marked Sun's second time making it past the first round of a WTA tour-level event, she was left to ponder her decision.
But the wheels continued to move as Sun's mother, Lele, and stepfather, Sinclair, visited TNZ in January and discussions continued with Sun's France-based agent.
TNZ had work to do to help pay for Sun's tour. They couldn't compete with Switzerland financially, but they had to offer something.
“We were able to put together a package to support Lulu in the way she needed support,” Patterson said. “She has a good team around her, but that costs money.”
Mr Patterson said the funding would come from private donors outside the existing TNZ budget. Traveling professionals with coaches, physical therapists and other support staff face annual costs of $100,000 to $200,000, but Patterson declined to discuss the numbers involved.
“It's a business arrangement,” she said.
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After the offer was made, TNZ awaited Sun's decision.
“I'd have to ask her, but I know she had a lot to consider,” Patterson said. She said: “She didn't want to let Switzerland down, but at the same time she felt at home in New Zealand.”
Ultimately, the choice was made, culminating in a Saturday morning phone call in which her mother, stepfather and agent also answered the phone.
Son is set to make his international debut with the Billie Jean King Cup team in China next month as New Zealand aim to advance from Asia/Oceania Group 1 to the World Group play-offs.
There is also a possibility that Son will compete alongside Routliff in the women's doubles event at the Paris Olympics. She will need an exemption from the ITF. This is because potential Olympians must compete in at least two national team events (Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup) before the qualification and selection process, according to complex criteria.
“The Olympics are part of our long-term outlook, but there's also the possibility that they could be held this year,” Patterson said.
Either way, the impact of Sun's switch cannot be overstated. The global competitiveness of tennis is increasing year by year, and even in countries with deep pockets like Australia and the UK, it is extremely difficult to produce players who will rank in the top 100.
TNZ have poured hundreds of thousands, perhaps millions, into development over the past 15 years, with a rotation strategy and a number of young prospects identified as next best.
No one has ever achieved that in singles. Among the current players, Australia-based Monique Barry, 21, showed potential at the ASB Classic, but has a long road to climb through the lower reaches of the ITF Tour to climb her ranking of 672nd place. confronting. Valentina Ivanov, 22, fell to 967th place. Meanwhile, Elise Tse (19), Jade Otway (20) and Vivian Wang (19) are all outside the top 1000.
Ajeet Rai (585th) leads New Zealand ahead of veteran Rubin Statham (621st), KP Panu (669th), Isaac Becroft (852nd) and teenager Jack LeThit (926th). is at the top of the male rankings.
In contrast, Sun is doing well, just shy of the top 100, and is able to play at a higher level each week. Her progress is remarkable considering she has only appeared in the main draw of tour-level events six times.
“Lulu uses many weapons to take on big games, and she has a great team around her who are committed to growth areas,” Vint said. “She is process-focused and pays the price with her daily efforts. If you knew Lulu, she wouldn't be happy with who she is.”
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering the Olympic, FIFA World Cup and America's Cup campaigns.
