Jayce
“I haven’t played such an intense match in a long time.” So, in the first round of the China Open, when 23-year-old Li Shifeng defeated Taiwan’s Zhou Tiancheng in three games, he joyfully threw away his racket and jumped up. After experiencing the breakthrough of winning the All England Championships earlier this year and the disappointment of losing at the World Championships, he approached the Changzhou Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium with a more grounded attitude.
Originally one of the most favored players in the men’s singles at the Copenhagen World Championships, Li Shifeng was unfortunately eliminated from the quarter-finals by Taiwan’s Wang Ziwei, which he found regrettable: “Losing is definitely upsetting and puts you in a bad mood, but my mindset is still good. I will find ways to adjust myself and quickly move on from the defeat.”
From the World Championships to the China Open, just over a week had passed, and Li Shifeng learned from his first World Championships experience: “Actually, I wasn’t well-prepared before. So during this period, I focused on serious training, which was tiring, but more importantly, I adjusted my mindset to focus on the process rather than being too concerned about the outcome, because often, being overly concerned about winning can hinder performance.”
So, facing his first opponent Zhou Tiancheng at the China Open, Li Shifeng prepared seriously: “Since I hadn’t faced him before, I watched videos. He’s a very talented player, so I needed not only patience but also absolute focus and decisiveness. I prepared myself for a three-game match.” The match indeed turned out as Li Shifeng had prepared—it was tough, it went to three games, and he maintained patience, focus, and decisiveness throughout.
In the first game, Li Shifeng quickly got into the rhythm, adapted to the conditions, and took a 21-14 lead. However, he became a bit impatient in the second game, lost concentration towards the end, and was edged out 18-21. Li Shifeng mentioned that the loss in the second game didn’t affect him; he quickly adjusted during the break. In the third game, he kept encouraging himself, believing he could win, and told himself to fight hard in the latter half. Thus, amidst a closely contested score, Li Shifeng seized crucial points and closed out the game 21-18, securing his first victory at the China Open.
After winning the final point, Li Shifeng celebrated happily on the court, although he didn’t repeat his classic somersault move. He later joked, “In individual events like this, it’s better to avoid injuries, so fewer somersaults.” This hard-earned victory gave Li Shifeng a rare boost of confidence: “Winning gives confidence. I’ve faced such difficult matches before, and you just have to find a way. The rewards will accumulate.”
Actually, Li Shifeng has already had plenty of achievements this year. In March, he won the All England Open and reached the final with his teammate Shi Yuqi, unlocking his first 1000-level event title. In May, at the Sudirman Cup, despite not appearing in the crucial knockout matches, he still contributed to the team’s three consecutive victories. In July, at the US Open, he swept aside his longtime opponent Kunlavut Vitidsarn to claim the men’s singles title.
However, gains don’t just come from victories but also from defeats. After winning in the US, Li Shifeng felt he hadn’t been in good form. The World Championships didn’t go well either, but these lows and confusions are part of every athlete’s journey. Li Shifeng, naturally optimistic, sees them as essential steps for growth.
Another 1000-level event has begun, and Li Shifeng, as the highest-seeded player in China’s men’s singles, is still highly anticipated. He hasn’t dwelled on how his ranking might be perceived externally: “Although I’m currently in the top ten in the world rankings, I still approach every opponent seriously.”
Taking every opponent seriously also means taking every question seriously. Just like after winning against Zhou Tiancheng, Li Shifeng completed five rounds of interviews and then faced our reporter, looking seriously at the camera, responding earnestly, and engaging sincerely in communication.
