Zhang Zhizhen, the first Chinese man in Open era to qualify for Wimbledon, exited in the first round on Tuesday losing to Frenchman Antoine Hoang in a thrilling five set match 4-6, 7-6, 6-7, 6-3, 6-2.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Zhang is the first Chinese man in Open era to play at the Wimbledon
• Zhang Zhizhen lost to Antoine Hoang of France, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2
• Zhang is currently the only Chinese male player in top 250 in ATP rankings

Zhang Zhizhen created history when he stepped out on the court on Tuesday France’s Antoine Hoang. He became the first Chinese man in Open era to play at the Wimbledon.

Zhang Zhizhen lost to Antoine Hoang of France, 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-2, but found consolation in getting a chance to play on tennis’ grandest stage.

The world number 178 will be the first Chinese male to play in the Wimbledon main draw. The last Chinese men to compete in the main draw at Wimbledon were Chu Chen-Hua and Mei Fu-Chi in 1959.

“I’m really happy to be a Chinese man here, especially this year, a very tough year,” Zhang said. “For me it’s a very good experience. It’s not really bad to lose, you know?”

Even so, Zhang noted a wall at the All England Club displaying flags from different nations, and he speculated the Chinese flag might hang more prominently if he had won a match or two.

“It’s quite hard to find the Chinese country,” he said. With a smile he added, “Maybe in the second or third round it would be easier to find the Chinese flag, eh?”

The 24-year-old Zhang won three matches in qualifying to make Wimbledon’s main draw. He failed in three previous attempts to qualify at Grand Slam tournaments.

Li Na has had China’s greatest success in tennis. She won women’s singles titles at the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open and was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019.Zhang Zhizhen is currently the only Chinese male player in the top 250 in the ATP rankings