Pune: By during her middle school years, Lulu Sun faced a significant identity crisis. Born in New Zealand to a Chinese mother and a Croatian father, she received her education in Switzerland. In addition to her internal struggles, she endured constant teasing for being the sole student of Asian descent in her school.

“Growing up, I often questioned where I truly belonged,” she remarked on the sidelines of the Billie Jean King Cup Open in Pune. “As a teenager, while trying to discover my identity and place in society, my sister and I were the only Asian students at our school. We encountered instances of racism, which made it quite challenging.”

It was during this tumultuous period that she began to dedicate herself more to tennis. Seeking answers about her heritage, she found a sense of identity through the sport. On the opening day of the prestigious women’s tennis team event, Sun made a notable impact.

On Tuesday, New Zealand commenced their journey in the Asia/Oceania Group 1 stage against India. After her teammate Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty lost to Aishi Das, Sun, ranked No. 45 in the world and the highest-ranked player in the tournament, equalized the score with a straight-sets victory over Sahaja Yamalapalli. Shortly thereafter, she teamed up with Monique Barry to defeat Ankita Raina and Prarthana Thombare in the doubles match, securing the tie for her team.

Notably, she only began representing New Zealand at the senior level last year, having previously played for Switzerland.

“It was an incredibly difficult choice to make, as both countries are integral to my identity,” she explained. “However, I recognized an opportunity to help grow the sport in New Zealand.”

She reminisced that her entry into the sport was largely influenced by her older sister's desire to play. "I was simply included in her activities," she stated.

The initial years were quite challenging. However, she appreciated the routine of finishing school and then dedicating time to practice on the court. She achieved the position of runner-up in the junior girls' doubles event at the 2018 Australian Open, which eventually led her to the United States for college tennis, where she played a pivotal role in securing the NCAA title for the University of Texas in 2021.

In the professional arena, she made headlines by reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year, having received a wildcard for the qualifying rounds.

"I was eager to make it to the main draw since the qualifiers take place at a different location," she explained. "I was thrilled to qualify and compete against the top players. Defeating Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen made me realize that I am capable in tennis."

The tennis court provided her with a sense of belonging, irrespective of her identity.

"It’s just you and your opponent. Your only task is to hit the ball within the lines and over the net," she remarked. On Tuesday, she not only accomplished that but exceeded expectations.

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