Zhang Shuai (left) of China and Elise Mertens of Belgium at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on January 28, 2026 Photo: VCG

In the women's doubles final at the 2026 Australian Open, 37-year-old Zhang Shuai of China and her partner Elise Mertens of Belgium shared an emotional embrace at the Rod Laver Arena, marking a powerful milestone for Chinese tennis. Wrapped in Chinese national flag, the veteran - who playfully calls herself a "tennis junior" - proved once again that age is no barrier to dreams. Passion, perseverance, and an unyielding pursuit for victory remain the ultimate weapons against time.

The win came through grit and chemistry: Zhang and Mertens, seeded fourth, defeated Kazakhstan's Anna Danilina and Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic 7-6 (4), 6-4. Their partnership was a last-minute reunion - having reached the 2022 Wimbledon final together (where they fell to Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova) - yet they entered Melbourne with confidence and delivered when it mattered most. The pair staged a stunning comeback in the final after trailing 1-4 in the first set, showcasing the resilience that has defined Zhang's career.

This is Zhang's third women's doubles Grand Slam title, following her triumphs at the 2019 Australian Open and 2021 US Open, both alongside Australia's Sam Stosur - who fittingly presented the trophy on court this time. The Chinese Tennis Association praised the victory in a congratulatory letter, calling the trophy "the best testimony to your dedication and relentless efforts throughout your nearly two-decade-long career."

Zhang's journey has been anything but easy. In 2016, having faced 14 consecutive Grand Slam first-round exits, she approached the Australian Open treating it as potentially her "last match" before retirement. She stunned then-world No.2 Simona Halep in a breakthrough win that shattered her mental barriers and extended her career by another decade. 

Over the past decade, Zhang endured the low of a 24-match losing streak in singles, and after ending that slump at the 2024 China Open, she climbed from nearly world No.600 to a hard-earned No.75. 

Even at 37, she continued to compete with intensity across singles, doubles, and mixed doubles. She joked with her former partner Sam Stosur in Melbourne, "I won the Slam three times because Sam was on court. That's why I was waiting for the third one so long!"

Behind the humor lies extraordinary determination - every time she rose after a fall, every time she gritted her teeth on the brink of collapse, ultimately forging this weighty women's doubles championship trophy.

"I'm tennis junior Zhang Shuai!" she posted on social media after reaching the 2024 US Open doubles final - a phrase that perfectly captures her enduring mindset. Despite three major doubles titles, Zhang approaches the sport with a beginner's passion and pure love for victory. This "junior" spirit has helped her stay calm under pressure and has made her an enduring symbol of Chinese tennis: forever young, forever inspired. 

Zhang's influence extends beyond her own achievements. When young player Yuan Yue faced the No.2 seeded Iga Swiatek in the first round after battling through the qualifiers, Zhang sent encouragement, sharing her own 2016 miracle: "If I could do it, so can you." Her words carried not just experience, but deep faith in self-confidence and the possibility of upsets. 

This spirit of mentorship continues a proud relay in Chinese tennis - from Zheng Jie and Yan Zi's historic 2006 Australian Open doubles title to today's thriving scene. At the 2026 tournament, eight Chinese players reached the singles main draw, four advanced to the second round, Wang Xinyu made the women's singles round of 16 for the first time, and a record nine juniors entered the junior main draw. 

"Today is very special because Zheng Jie is on court. Twenty years ago, she was the first Grand Slam champion from China. Thank you for helping so much," Zhang said during the ceremony, acknowledging the torch-passing spirit as Zheng watched proudly from the stands, giving a thumbs-up. 

Zhang's triumph transcends a single trophy. Her dedication, fighting spirit, and refusal to let time define her limits embody the ongoing rise of Chinese tennis - a story of perseverance, mentorship, and a collective rise.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. life@globaltimes.com.cn