Looking to make a powerful return

Also recharging for a strong comeback in 2026 is promising men's ace Shang, whose meteoric rise on the ATP Tour was derailed by a right foot bone fracture he sustained at the Australian Open, which needed surgery in March and required six months in recovery.

The 20-year-old left fans convinced that none of the setbacks would wear him down by stunning world No 10 Karen Khachanov in the second round at the Shanghai Masters in October to notch his first win over a top-10 opponent, while reaching the third round at an ATP1000 event for the first time at just his third tournament since coming back.

Should his speed and agility return to his prime during an ongoing offseason camp at the IMG Academy in Florida, Shang will remain a serious contender at his season opener, the 2026 Hong Kong Open, which swings off main draw action on Jan 5.

"I will approach the 2026 season as a reboot, and take one step at a time. My focus during the offseason is to get my technique, strength and fitness back to the best possible level and open the new season fully healthy," said Shang, a world No 47 in October 2024, who's now fighting back at 253rd.

With the men's and women's tours resuming right after the New Year break, all of China's returning aces seem ready to swing back into action, and are already preparing to start the climb back to their best at the season's opening major, the Australian Open in Melbourne.

sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn