Wu Yibing starts strong, reveals leg injury after a cold, jokingly says he only remembers his next opponent’s severe hair loss

In the opening round of the 2026 Australian Open men’s singles, Wu Yibing from China triumphed over Italy’s Nardi with a score of 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2, marking a successful beginning to his campaign this year!

Before the match began, many doubted Wu Yibing’s chances. On one hand, he had been troubled by injuries recently; during the qualifiers, reports mentioned that Wu suffered from a cold and cramps, even considering withdrawal. On the other hand, his opponent was strong and aggressive. Hence, many were anxious about the former top Chinese player’s performance.

Some netizens warned, “In recent years, Wu Yibing has frequently been affected by injuries, and this time he came through the qualifiers, so stamina might be an issue.” ESPN commentators also expressed cautious optimism before the match: “If Wu can overcome his physical problems, he should be capable of passing the first round.” This prudent optimism aligns with the views of most experts.

In the first set, both players quickly found their rhythm. Wu requested a medical timeout in the seventh game due to discomfort in his right thigh and received brief treatment. After returning, he adjusted the tightness of his bandage and took painkillers. Towards the end of the set, Wu secured a crucial break in the 12th game and narrowly won the set 7-5.

In the second set, Wu’s form wavered after leading 4-2. Nardi seized the opportunity to win four consecutive games, leveling the match with a 6-4 set. During this set, Wu’s movement was noticeably hampered by his leg injury, showing hesitations in his footwork multiple times.

The third set marked a turning point. After a break and some adjustments, Wu gradually found ways to manage his injury during play. He achieved a key break in the fifth game and maintained his lead to close the set 6-4. As the match progressed, it was evident that his body was fully warmed up, and the leg discomfort had lessened.

In the decisive fourth set, after a 2-2 tie, Wu took full control of the match’s pace. Conversely, Nardi suffered from fatigue and cramps due to Melbourne’s heat. Wu won four consecutive games to seal a 6-2 victory, advancing to the second round with a 3-1 overall score.

The entire match lasted 2 hours and 48 minutes. Wu outperformed his opponent significantly in serving and winners, demonstrating stronger offensive skills. Notably, he showed great mental toughness, overcoming the disadvantages caused by his injury.

At the post-match press conference, Wu Yibing reviewed his hard-fought victory in detail and revealed the specifics of competing while injured. Regarding his condition, Wu admitted, “By the time I reached the third round of qualifiers, my right thigh was already slightly strained.”

He explained why he adjusted his bandage during the match: “Because at the Hangzhou Open, I had wrapped it too tightly, which made other muscles uncomfortable. So this time, I started with a looser wrap. But as the match went on, it still felt too loose, so I called a medical timeout and took some painkillers. Once my body warmed up, the leg felt better.”

About his cold, Wu shared how his team handled it: “During the qualifiers, the cold troubled me a lot. Our hotel was close to Chinatown, so my team bought honey and ginger to make hot drinks for me. That helped ease my throat symptoms somewhat. It’s still not fully gone, with some runny nose, but it was especially tough during qualifiers and affected my mental state. Now it doesn’t impact my play much.”

Regarding the significance of his first main draw win at the Australian Open, Wu remained calm: “It’s okay, my goal is to reach the second week, so I’m taking it one match at a time.” This modest and pragmatic attitude reflects his higher expectations for himself.

Talking about his second-round opponent, American player Spizzirri, Wu joked: “I remember he has quite severe hair loss. Once I saw him take off his hat and thought he was much older, but then I found out he’s just in his early twenties. He beat Fonseca today. I trained with him in Hangzhou before; I recall he performed well in domestic challengers. I’ll prepare well and focus on recovery tomorrow.”

Many netizens praised Wu Yibing’s fighting spirit after today’s win. One wrote: “Seeing him adjust his bandage on court, clearly struggling with injury but still finishing and winning the match, that kind of spirit is admirable!” Many applauded him for “showing the true fighting spirit of an athlete.”

However, concerns about Wu’s health remain widespread. Many expressed: “Hope his leg injury doesn’t worsen, as there are more matches ahead.” Some advised him to “manage his injuries more scientifically; his career is still long.”

Netizens also enjoyed Wu’s sense of humor. One commented: “He actually remembers his opponent’s serious hair loss—such observation skills are rare!” This comment received many likes. Many said this humor makes the athlete’s image more relatable and endearing.

Looking ahead to the second round, most netizens hold a cautiously optimistic view. Some noted: “Spizzirri’s ability to beat seeded players shows he’s very strong.” Others pointed out: “If Wu stays healthy, he still has the technical edge.”

Wu Yibing’s Australian Open journey continues, and this Chinese player’s future path is worth our attention and hope. Facing injuries and challenges, his choice to persist and fight embodies the true spirit of sports.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lu Xiaotian)