Success in tennis is built on a foundation of discipline, resilience, and constant self-improvement. The story of Jerry Shang, a talented young athlete, exemplifies these qualities and serves as an inspiration to all those who strive for excellence.
In 2015, Jerry embarked on his tennis journey at the Emilio Sanchez Academy in Nanjing. Under the watchful eye of his first coach, Daniel Sorribas, Jerry began to develop his game.
In September 2016, Jerry made the bold decision to join the Emilio Sanchez Tennis Academy at the age of 11 years old. The transition marked a turning point in his development, as he began to train under the guidance of the academy’s esteemed coaches, including Emilio Sanchez himself. After the Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl tournaments, he connected with Coach Victor Hugo Camargo, who is the author of the following story.
Jerry’s first contact after the winter tournaments was interesting; his personality was disperse, and he lacked discipline during warm-ups of those first practices. Later on, he quickly displayed a willingness to train with greater quantity, more volume, and higher intensity, all while making improvements quickly but in a gradual and progressive manner. Rapidly he stood out from his group and advanced into the next group with older and more advanced level of players. He had to adapt to a higher demand level, more constant warm-ups, the ball coming faster, a higher self-care while stretching, more discipline during tournaments choosing what to eat among other details.
His semester went fast, he started achieving those first and second steps of the plan where he would sign up for Level 6’s and would win it, Level 5’s, another win, Level 4’s and the same, and with all the ranking he opened doors to play more L3’s and top tier tournaments such as “Les Petits As” among others. That is why he was able to go to National Clay Court championship and take the title. He wasn’t able to play ITF juniors until the age of 13. However, once he entered, he rapidly gained ranking, placing himself around the top #200 in the world and advanced until he became the top junior world ranked.
At the heart of Jerry’s journey were the four pillars of tennis development: Technical, Tactical, Physical, and Mental. Each pillar played a crucial role in shaping Jerry’s game and prepared him for the challenges.
Tactical: We started to work on using his forehand more, look for it during key moments, and move to the net to close the points. The plan had an organization to be more aware of his game to avoid using too many drop shots when nervous, and dominate during crucial points.
Technical: Jerry’s technical skills came by nature, he knew how to do things that you usually don’t teach. We started working on a foot movement structure to work on diagonals and positions. His backhand needed a longer progression, his volleys were a strength of his game and his serve he started to develop here. His forehand came very natural, very talented and with less details to work. The only focus was on the legs to be a complete player in all situations of defense, attack, high and low balls, etc.
Physical: Jerry’s physical conditioning was a key factor in his success on the court. Under the guidance of the academy’s fitness trainers, Jerry focused on building strength, agility, and endurance to avoid injuries. His commitment to his physical fitness was evident in tournaments such as the ITF, where he outlasted his opponents with his stamina and resilience.
Mental: Perhaps the most crucial pillar of Jerry’s development was his mental strength. We worked on knowing “how to have a good practice”, on living the tournament and competition moment, and preparing for situations. We improved the details during the off court time of a tournament such as the nutrition, the concentration, the objectives, how to deal with emotions, being the favorite and having pressure. He developed a good equilibrium and present moment of knowing how “to be” in each situation.
Every player and coach relationships has its ups and downs and there was times where I made him leave the court and we had disagreements but because I wanted him to learn the purpose of coming to court, not to be there just to be there or because they make me but, to realize the purpose. Jerry’s dad also played a crucial role in all of this, supporting throughout the process and helping maintain balance between the moments and situations.
Through it all, Jerry remained grounded and humble, never forgetting the values instilled in him by his coaches and mentors. His journey at the Emilio Sanchez Tennis Academy was not just about winning trophies, but about personal growth, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence. What I liked the most states Victor: He lived naturally the situations of pressure, he had the support of his group which had a much older age than him and he was respected not because of his level but, because of his personality.
He was talented, we all knew it, and usually when you are talented you find excuses but what we could gain is that he found his way to be honest and stick to the objectives working and being in the present moment.
What makes you proud says Coach Victor is to see the details of his persona, the fact that he can differentiate the competition and life, that he remains humble even at this level. He treats the ball boys with respect, his spirit of constant self-improvement, and his way of thinking of one point at a time, one day at a time. When he wins a tournament automatically puts a new objective.
Victor says “One time we were in Mexico with my father who came to see him, but he had to leave and Jerry was surrounded by press. When my father wanted to say bye Jerry stopped the press he put them aside and made his way out to go say goodbye to my father and thank him for being there. I will always remember that moment because that is a trait that he carries around. It is a resemblance to Alcaraz’s personality.”
In conclusion, Jerry is an exceptional individual and an as a player he became number 1 junior in the world and is at the doors of jumping in the top 100, he is an exceptional player. From the ES Academy, we wish him the best in his career and are thrilled to see those particular traits that allow him to showcase his best self.
By Victor Hugo Camargo ES Coach & the marketing department of the ES Florida,
