US Open star loses 23rd successive match in heartbreaking circumstances | Tennis | Sport

It’s the longest losing run in the Open Era. And the defeats have weighed heavy on the former world No. 22, who reached the fourth round of the 2023 Australian Open before falling out of form.

Shuai broke down in tears at last year’s French Open when she hit the 10-match losing mark. Retired Australian tennis star John Millman leapt to her defence at the time, tweeting: “Quite easy to sit on the sofa and be critical of a players form.

“There’s so much abuse players face, especially online. Yet those abusing have no idea, nor care, for what potentially a person is going through – whether that be physically or mentally. Hope Shuai is alright.”

The Chinese tennis star took a lengthy break after losing at last year’s Canadian Open and returned in Dubai earlier this year. But she has yet to return to winning ways.