15 August 2026, 9:43am
‘For my wellbeing’: Lulu Sun takes break from tennis
RNZ Sport reporters
Lulu Sun says she wants to enjoy some life outside the court, so is taking a break from top-flight tennis to escape its “relentless” demands
In a social media post, Sun said the physical and mental requirements of life on the world tour had affected her wellbeing
The 25-year-old, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals in 2024 has struggled with injuries and mixed form this year
“I wanted to take a bit of your time to share something personal with you,” she wrote on Instagram
“In professional tennis, as in life, there is constant pressure to perfect oneself. The physical and mental demands of a competition schedule are relentless and can impact your life in more ways than one
“With that in mind, I have decided to take some time away from competition to give myself a little space for my wellbeing and to enjoy life beyond the tennis court. It will give me the opportunity to step away from the demands of competition, reset and prepare for what‘s ahead.”
Sun turned professional in 2022 and switched allegiance from Switzerland to her native New Zealand two years ago, before going on her headline-grabbing Wimbledon run, where she became the first New Zealand singles player since 1983 to reach the final eight of the Grand Slam tournament
Her world ranking has slipped from a high of 39th to 119th
She missed January’s ASB Classic in Auckland before a first-round elimination at the Australian Open, her only appearance in the main draw at a grand slam tournament this year
It’s unclear how long her break will last
“I find it hard to express how deeply appreciative I am to all my team members, friends, family and fans for all their continuous belief in me,” Sun wrote
“Your support and kindness means everything. I am also truly grateful for my sponsors who I’d like to thank for their continuous trust and patronage, and for being an important part of my journey.”
15 August 2026, 9:43am
