In a recent exhibition match held in Murcia, Carlos Alcaraz not only secured a victory against Roberto Bautista Agut in three sets but also found himself in the spotlight for an unexpected reason—a heartwarming wedding proposal during the game.

This tradition of receiving marriage proposals during tennis matches is not new, with legends like Steffi Graf and Rafael Nadal having experienced it before. Now, Carlos Alcaraz has joined this exclusive club of players who’ve had such memorable moments on the court.

Despite the surprise, Alcaraz graciously acknowledged the proposal with a beaming smile before seamlessly returning to the game. As the tennis world anticipates the eventual retirement of stalwarts like Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, many eyes are turning toward Alcaraz as the potential next big tennis sensation.

In 2022, Alcaraz made history by becoming the youngest player to claim the world number one ranking. With two grand slam titles under his belt and a growing list of sponsors vying for his attention, it’s evident that Alcaraz is not just a rising star but a player who commands immense admiration and support from his fans.

During the offseason, Shang Juncheng (Jerry) revamped his fitness routine by hiring a new trainer. He shifted emphasis from rigorous fitness training to prioritize movement, resulting in a notable 4 Kg weight loss.

His new training regimen makes sense because he is only 5 ft 11. So he needs to rely on his movement on the court to win points. He can’t be a big server at his height.

2023 is going to be a crucial season for Shang. He reached his career-high ranking of 149 in 2023. With improvements in his game and fitness, he should break into the top 100 in 2024 if things go according to plan.

Jerry Shang trains at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida. He is the son of former footballer Shang Yi and former table tennis player Wu Na. As a junior, Shang reached the finals at the US Open boy’s tournament.