From qualifier to star: Lulu Sun’s incredible ascent

Stories of innovation and breakthrough are common in the turbulent world of professional tennis. One such tale is that of Lulu Sun, a rising star from New Zealand who went from relative obscurity to chart-topping results and is now firmly in the spotlight.

Early years and international ancestry Lulu Sun

Lulu Sun was born in Te Anau, New Zealand, on April 14, 2001. Her parents are Croatian and Chinese. The family moved to Geneva, Switzerland, when she was five years old, and she grew up and finished her schooling there. She also studied International Relations & Global Studies and played collegiate tennis at the University of Texas.

Sun was a professional tennis player for Switzerland before switching to New Zealand, where she has since emerged as one of the nation’s most promising players.

Making waves at Wimbledon during the breakthrough season Sun Lulu

The Wimbledon Championships in the summer of 2024 marked Lulu Sun’s major breakthrough. Despite being ranked outside of the top 100 going into the tournament, she shocked many by making it to the quarterfinals.

She set the stage for a deep run by defeating then No. 8 seed Zheng Qinwen in one of the most memorable matches. It was her first major main-draw victory. She became the first woman to represent New Zealand in the Open Era to make it to the Wimbledon quarterfinals, making her appearance historic.

• “Lulu Sun’s stunning Grand Slam comeback is illuminating Wimbledon.”
• “Qualifier Lulu Sun defeats Emma Raducanu in three sets, ending her Wimbledon run …”

Recent form and ongoing momentum Lulu Sun

Sun didn’t slow down after that breakout. Her upward trajectory was further cemented in August 2024 when she advanced to the final of the Monterrey Open, a WTA 500 event.

She has continued to play well on tour in 2025; for instance, she defeated important opponents to advance to the Galaxy Holding Group Guangzhou Open semi-finals. She had a 57% chance of winning her match against Caty McNally, based on prediction models.

This rise is reflected in her ranking, which on September 9, 2024, reached a career-high of No. 39. She has more than US$ 772,000 in prize money and is currently ranked No. 116.

Playing style and personality on the court Sun Lulu

Sun’s two-handed backhand and left-handed style provide inherent advantages in spin and angles. Her aggressive baseline play, attack readiness, and poise under duress have been praised by on-court observers. (For instance, her Wimbledon upset of a top-10 opponent.)

According to some analysts, her adaptability and mental toughness are also influenced by her fascinating cultural background and her ability to speak three languages: Mandarin, French, and English.

Prospects and challenges for the future Sun Lulu

• Top-level consistency: A crucial first step is converting spectacular victories into consistent performance each and every week.
• Expectations and pressure: Managing external expectations will be important now that she is the focus of national attention, particularly in New Zealand.
• Mental and physical strain: The demands of travel, recuperation, and adaptation rise as the results become more profound.
• Implications for seeding and ranking: A higher ranking facilitates draw placements, which can affect the depth of tournament runs.

Conversely, her trajectory indicates that she may establish herself as a regular in the top-50, contend for titles, and represent New Zealand at the highest levels (perhaps even the Olympics and Grand Slams).

Why the story of Lulu Sun is important

The journey of Lulu Sun is noteworthy for a number of reasons:

• Her ascent demonstrates how qualifiers can significantly influence Grand Slams and change the tennis narrative.
• She provides a new role model in New Zealand, a nation that has not historically been dominant in women’s tennis.
• Her international upbringing and multicultural background highlight how tennis talent is becoming more and more global.
• Her experience highlights the mental toughness and defensive-offensive balance needed at the highest levels.