Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open: Lulu Sun explains her Chinese heritage before city debut
With a mother from China and growing up with maternal grandparents, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist has much exposure to Chinese culture
Inside the energetic, young body of 23-year-old Lulu Sun probably lives a soul far beyond her age – so said the New Zealand tennis player as she explained her Chinese heritage before her professional debut in Hong Kong.
Preparing to play at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open next week, the Wimbledon quarter-finalist admitted competing in the city felt like playing in her “second home”.
And she revealed there could be several familiar, close faces in the stands rooting for her.
“I have one aunt, two uncles and three cousins living here,” said Sun, who was born in Te Anau in New Zealand to a Croatian father and a Chinese mother. “I think my other uncle came from somewhere, and then some other people came from Shanghai. My mum is here in town, too.”
Flying to Hong Kong and visiting her relatives became an annual family activity that happened “at least once a year”, though this year marked Sun’s first trip to the city since the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sun said she had hiked almost every mountain trail in Hong Kong over the years, including climbing atop Lion Rock Mountain once.
