Changing country because of the Olympic Games?: Tennis star no longer plays for Switzerland

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Lulu Sun reached the second round as a qualifier at the WTA tournament in Auckland and the Australian Open in January, attracting increasing interest from the New Zealand Tennis Association. The 22-year-old daughter of a Croatian and a Chinese woman was born in Te Anau on New Zealand’s South Island and holds a Swiss and a New Zealand passport.

She explained her decision on Tennis New Zealand’s website. «I grew up in Switzerland and carry the love for both countries in my heart. For me, representing New Zealand is more than just a professional decision; it is an acknowledgment of my roots.” Her grandparents still live in New Zealand and she often returns there to recharge her batteries.

Better Olympic chances

Nevertheless, tangible considerations may also have contributed greatly to the change of the nation. In New Zealand, Sun is the clear number 1 and can hope for a start at the Olympic Games through a continental quota place. As the third best Swiss woman and currently number 151 in the world, this would be unrealistic, at least for this summer in Paris. It can be assumed that she will soon also play under the New Zealand flag on the WTA Tour.

Sun will compete for her new home for the first time in the Billie Jean King Cup zone tournament in China in April. Swiss Tennis had also attempted to make its debut in the upcoming World Group qualifier against Poland. (SDA)

Source : Blick