It’s normal to feel rusty coming into a new season but Sun’s game style means she needs time – and plenty of rallies – to get her rhythm. That didn’t happen in Auckland as she was bounced out by wily Canadian Marino on a blustery day. It was the perfect storm, as Marino’s unorthodox style – with a big serve and an aggressive forehand – meant Sun couldn’t get comfortable or build into the match.
In Tasmania, Sun was out-gunned by wildcard Kenin, the former Australian Open champion, who reached two grand slam finals in 2020 before the game was derailed by Covid. The former world No 4 is a pure shotmaker – with tons of experience – and it was too much for the Kiwi.
Tuesday was another difficult chapter. Despite the ridiculous – and somewhat naive – odds of $11.50 offered by the TAB on Kovinic, it was always going to be a battle, given the 30-year-old has pedigree way beyond her current ranking, which has plummeted after a series of injuries. Look at the experience. Kovinic has had 76 matches versus top 50 players, including 28 against those inside the top 20. Sun’s numbers are 10 and three respectively.
Sun looked like someone trying to hit her way back into form, with 21 winners and 44 unforced errors. It worked for periods – but the New Zealander was always on the edge – and got increasingly frustrated by her mistakes.
But we shouldn’t forget how far Sun has come – and how fast. Twelve months ago she was outside the top 200, before battling through to the second round in Auckland as a qualifier, then getting through three qualifying matches in Melbourne to make the main draw. At that stage, she had played just eight tour-level main draw matches.
Then came the rest. The ITF and Challenger success, the remarkable Wimbledon run, a final of a WTA 500 in Mexico and winning four matches at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati as a qualifier, which combined to rocket her to No 40. But Sun is still extremely young in tennis terms. Her College stint – plus Covid – means her time on tour has been limited.
Tuesday’s outing was just her 28th tour-level outing, not including qualifying matches. Sun has reached the top 40 – but hasn’t had any time to be a top 40 player. That will be the next test and there is no hurry, as she has limited points to defend until June.
However, there are some points of concern from the last fortnight. The first has been Sun’s inability to impose her game style, or change momentum during a match. She has also looked uncertain and hesitant at times, though that is normal when you are struggling for form. Her trademark patience and poise on court hasn’t always been apparent either.
There will also be questions about the size of her entourage, significantly bigger than last season. A coach, physiotherapist and hitting partner is standard for someone at her level – but the two or three others, looking after social media, sponsorship, administration and who-knows-what – is not so much.
The changes haven’t been driven by Sun, who remains much the same person – humble and down to earth – as she was before the drastic change in her profile. There will be plenty of confidence in coach Vladimir Platenik – given his myriad achievements with other players – but the presence of too many other voices, even if they are not directly involved in tennis matters, can be confusing and muddy the water.
Still, the feeling remains that Sun will have success in 2025. She has an all-court game – good at the net – and is comfortable across grass, clay and hardcourt. And as a left-hander, she can generate difficult angles for most opponents. Sun needs time and matches but the confidence will return, followed by results.
Michael Burgess has been a sports journalist since 2005, winning several national awards and covering Olympics, Fifa World Cups and America’s Cup campaigns.
