The 23-year-old ground out a 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 7-6 (12) win over the big-serving Isner, a former top-10 ranked player, announcing himself as China’s next great tennis hope.

“It’s not only about winning the title, I think it’s more about me personally making history and also for the country,” Wu said.

“That’s huge for the next generation. For me, I need to keep going, keep my body healthy. I’m sure there’s more to come.”

With the chance for plenty more success to come, here is everything you need to known about China’s new tennis star.

Prize money, career ranking

Since turning pro, the right-handed, 1.83-metres tall Wu – who trains under coach Gerardo Azcurra in the US – has amassed a total of US$619, 134. A large chunk of that – US$112,125 – came from his triumph in Dallas.

The title victory – where he fended off four match points during the three-our contest – saw him jump to No 58 in the ATP rankings, making him the highest ever ranked male Chinese tennis player.

China’s Wu Yibing writes more history as rockets up ATP rankings

Early life

Wu was born on October 14, 1999, in Hangzhou, capital of China’s Zhejiang province.

His father was a former boxer, but Wu picked up tennis at the age of four because his mother wanted him to lose weight, and the badminton net was too high.

His parents eventually took him out of primary school and sent him to tennis academies. Wu’s mother estimated that they had spent millions of yuan on training, although the family is not believed to be wealthy.

Aged 12, Wu began training in Beijing under Carlos Rodriguez, the former coach of none other than Li Na and former world No 1 Justine Henin. He then moved to Spain to train under Nahum Garicia Sanchez.

“In general, the Chinese players, we’re working a lot on the baseline. We’re missing some shots like slicing, like volleys,” Wu has said of his time in Europe.

“So this is something I’m missing from my junior time of practising, which I’m looking forward to improving.”

Junior world No 1

Wu marked himself out as a potential future star of the game when he become the world No 1 on the junior ITF circuit.

His triumph came following his boys’ singles title win at the 2017 US Open, where he also won the boys’ doubles with Chinese Taipei’s Hsu Yu-hsiou – marking him out as China’s first male junior grand slam champion.

Earlier that year, he had reached the semi-finals of both the singles and doubles at the boys’ Australian Open.

“I think this is showing ourselves and showing the world Chinese boys can be good and better – and Chinese men,” after beating Alex Geller of Argentina in the Flushing Meadows final.

Asked about his career goals, Wu said: “Top 100. Yes, the first goal. Easy.”

Tipped for the top

“He’s a good player with a big game – to be 496 in the world as a junior is terrific and he’s started the transition already,” Mike Walker, former director of player development at the Hong Kong Tennis Association, who has seen a lot of Wu at junior tournaments with his Hong Kong players, told the Post in September 2017.

“That shows his game can stand up to senior tennis – now it’s just a case of working harder, playing more, gaining experience and having belief.”

Amine Boustani, head tennis coach at the Hong Kong Sports Institute, concurred.

“Having seen him play and compete and talked about him with various coaches and people who know about the game, he does have potential to get to the top and is on the right path,” he said at the time.

“He’s physically strong, got weapons, moves well, is mentally strong and if he stays healthy and focused and determined which I think he is, there’s no reason he can’t make it.”

Turning pro, Asian Games, coach split

Wu eventually made his debut on the senior ATP circuit in September 2017 at the Chengdu Open as a wild card.

He did not win a match until the 2018 Shanghai Masters, when he beat Li Zhie before taking a set off former US Open final Kei Nishikori.

Wu also won a silver medal for China at the Jakarta Asian Games in August 2018, losing to Denis Istomin in the final, but would soon run into some serious obstacles.

At the start of 2019, he split with coach Sven Groeneveld after just eight months together, with the Dutchman blaming the player’s mother.

“I am no longer working with Wu Yibing,” Groeneveld tweeted at the time. “In my opinion, he has a right to have a coach whose views are better aligned with his mother.

“I want to thank Wu Yibing for a great past 8 months winning the Silver Medal at the Asian Games and his first win on ATP Tour.”

Absence

Wu’s promising career was soon derailed, however. He missed almost three years of action because of a series of injuries, and strict Covid-19 rules in China. Wu did not play an international competition from March 2019 through December 2021.

He was hampered by a series of problems with his wrist, elbow, back, and shoulder, and eventually underwent surgery in 2020 to remove a piece of bone from his elbow.

The pandemic also restricted his movement, and he played only on the domestic circuit in China where he was barely challenged.

“I am thankful for all of these injuries. It’s given me a different personal experience,” Wu said during his run to the title in Dallas. “I became more mature, then I could know what I can actually achieve. Because of this, I think I play better tennis and also enjoy it more.”

“There were a lot of doubts because I did surgery and the rehab wasn’t going well,” he added. “It took longer than it should [have], but it turned out I’m here. I’d be [lying] if I said 100 per cent I’m going to be here today. But the process is always the most important thing.”

New training base

Following nearly three years of frustration, Wu moved his base to the United States, where he now trains at different centres.

He made sure to thank his coach, Gerardo Azcurra, after winning in Dallas.

“My tennis coach now Gerardo, he’s been helping me,” Wu said. “We see each other’s faces every day. Through IMG [we connected]. He gives me a lot of positive tips and working with him is a very happy thing.

His success has come at a cost, however, with Wu now far away from his family.

“I haven’t seen my family in more than a year,” he said after his Dallas title win. “Back in China because of the pandemic and the Covid situation, I’m not allowed to go back home like every day so I can see my parents or my grandparents maybe like twice a week or twice in two weeks.

“I’m sure they’re still up now. They watch all my matches, especially my mum and grandpa. They take notes. I couldn’t do any of this without their support, especially my family’s.”

Career revival

Following three years of frustration, Wu announced his comeback in style, winning three Challenger titles in the United States in 2022, and seeing his ranking rise from No 1,749 at the start of the year to 174.

He then became the first male Chinese player in the Open Era to qualify for main draw at the US open.

His victory over 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round in New York was the first grand slam win for a male Chinese player for 63 years, after Mei Fu Chi at Wimbledon in 1959.

Wu followed that up with a win over fellow qualifier Nuno Borges in five sets, making him the first Chinese man to ever reach the third round in the tournament’s history, before losing to the defending champion Daniil Medvedev.

His efforts saw him rise up 43 positions to No 131 in the world rankings, and he finished the season ranked No 119, earning the ATP’s Comeback of the Year Award.

“I think mentally I am ready to overcome all the injuries I might come across in the near future,” he said at the time.

“My body is not strong enough like other players, so I am ready to put more effort in the gym and stretching room. One of the important lessons I have to learn is how to prevent injury.”

Hong Kong and Australian Open, top 100

He then won two matches in qualifying at the Adelaide international last month.

Wu earned a wild card into the main draw of the 2023 Australian Open, the first grand slam of the year, but lost to Corentin Moutet in the first round.

Wu eventually debuted in the top 100 after reaching the final of the Cleveland Challenger, debuting at No 97 on February 6, 2023 – just the second Chinese male player to do so since Zhang Zhizhen four months earlier.

Wu is now likely to make his maiden appearances at Wimbledon and the French Open this year, barring any more bad luck with injuries.

Dallas Open

In the first round of the tournament, Wu defeated American Michael Mmoh 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

He then caused a big stir when he knocked third seed and world No 27 Denis Shapovalov out in the last 16 in Dallas, reaching his first tour-level quarter-final with a 7-6(1), 6-4 win.

A straightforward 6-3, 6-4 win over french eighth seed Adrian Mannarino followed, before Wu rallied from a set down to beat American top seed Taylor Fritz 6-7(3), 7-5, 6-4 in the semi-finals, becoming the first Chinese player ever to reach an ATP final, and the rest was history.

“I’ve been through a lot of things,” Wu said after his Dallas title victory. “I think the reason now I’m relaxed on tennis courts is I trust myself. If you want to beat me, you have to work hard.

“The most important thing is that I give more hope to the next generation. They are going to have even higher goals or standards, not just breaking Top 100 or winning the ATP 250.

“It’s like every day I’m making different history and of course I’m happy for that.”