Yuan Yue’s challenge against the world top ten in three consecutive tournaments is honorable despite the losses, sharing a heartwarming bond with the internet-famous dog Bobbi.

Despite losing 3-6, 3-6 to the newly entered top ten player Aleksandrova, Chinese tennis player Yuan Yue maintains a positive attitude. This is her third straight tournament advancing to important stages and competing directly against top ten ranked opponents.

“I’ve been somewhat exhausted recently because I’ve been keeping my mental and physical state at a high level,” Yuan Yue admitted after the match, though she expressed being “very satisfied” with her recent performances.

In a post-match interview, Yuan Yue shared a touching story. Last year, she said that if she won a title, she would adopt Bobbi, a popular stray dog in Ningbo. Later, she indeed won the doubles title in Ningbo, her first WTA 500 doubles championship, making it a special milestone in her career.

However, at that time, the three-month-old Bobbi had already been taken home by Mr. Shen Hong, the Chinese co-director of the tournament, who cared for the dog and formed a strong bond with his two daughters. Yuan Yue laughed, “I couldn’t take away someone else’s beloved pet, so I didn’t adopt Bobbi.”

This connection with Bobbi sparked a memorable story on the WTA tour. It is said that Krajicek, who missed the Ningbo tournament this year due to injury, specially sent a toy gift to Bobbi; while Andreyeva, nicknamed “Little Spicy,” played with Bobbi for 10 minutes before each match last year, almost treating the dog as her lucky charm.

Fortunately, with her parents’ approval, Yuan Yue eventually fulfilled her wish to have a dog. She revealed that she later adopted a dog in Beijing, realizing her dream.

This news sparked lively discussion among fans, with one commenting on social media: “Yuan Yue’s attitude towards the puppy shows she is a very caring person, which is why so many fans adore her.”

When asked about the cake bearing her photo posted on Instagram, Yuan Yue smiled and explained, “That’s a traditional handmade rice cake prepared by the tournament organizers. I found it quite interesting, so I ended up eating myself, haha.”

This witty reply immediately sparked fan interaction, with some joking, “What a new way of ‘self-sustenance’ is this?” Others said, “This kind of personalized cake is really creative; other tournaments should take note.”

Regarding today’s opponent, Yuan Yue gave full recognition: “Aleksandrova has become more consistent recently. Although she just entered the top ten, she has long been ranked within the top 20, and her stability is her main strength.”

Tennis journalist Zhang Bendou commented, “Yuan Yue’s recent breakthrough lies in that she no longer just ‘participates’ but truly ‘competes.’ Facing top ten players in three consecutive tournaments, this experience is vital for her growth.”

Although she didn’t advance further, Yuan Yue’s competitive form and mental resilience have raised expectations for the future of this Chinese tennis star. As one fan said, “Watching her play is increasingly reassuring; win or lose, she brings her own style to the court, which is the best proof of growth.”

As the season progresses, Yuan Yue said she will continue adjusting her form to meet upcoming challenges. Meanwhile, her warm stories with tennis and dogs have become a touching highlight in competitive sports.(Source: Tennis Home; Author: Lu Xiaotian)