Lulu Sun Bio
Lulu Sun (Chinese: 孙璐璐; pinyin: Sūn Lùlù, née Lulu Radovcic; born 14 April 2001) is a New Zealand professional tennis player. She has achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 39 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA), attained on 9 September 2024, and a best doubles ranking of No. 190, reached on 24 February 2025. Sun is recognized for her remarkable achievements in a short span of time, including becoming the NCAA Champion in 2021 and reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2024.
Early Life and Background
Lulu Sun was born as Lulu Radovcic in Te Anau, New Zealand, to a Chinese mother and a Croatian father. She spent her early years in New Zealand before moving to Shanghai, China, and later settling in Geneva, Switzerland, at the age of five. In Geneva, she completed her school education while frequently visiting New Zealand to connect with her family.
Sun pursued higher education at the University of Texas at Austin, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in international relations and global studies in 2022, completing her degree in just three years. She is multilingual, speaking English, French, and Mandarin Chinese fluently, and has expressed interest in learning Korean and Japanese.
Path to Tennis
As a teenager, Lulu Sun participated in various International Tennis Federation (ITF) Women’s Circuit events, initially competing under her birth name, Lulu Radovcic, before adopting her mother’s maiden name, Sun. She represented Switzerland during her junior career, notably finishing as the runner-up in girls’ doubles at the 2018 Australian Open with partner Violet Apisah. Later that year, she also competed under the New Zealand flag at junior Wimbledon.
Before turning professional, Sun played a season of college tennis for the Texas Longhorns in 2020-21, where she posted an impressive record of 15 wins and 1 loss in singles. She played a pivotal role in securing the championship for her team at the 2021 NCAA tournament, further establishing her as a rising star in the sport.
Lulu Sun Career
Early Career (2022)
Lulu Sun made her professional debut in May 2022, winning her first significant ITF title at the Saint-Gaudens Open in doubles. Shortly after, she made her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the Morocco Open, where she faced a challenging first-round match against seventh seed Arantxa Rus.
Breakthrough (2024)
Sun’s breakthrough year came in 2024 when she made her Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open, qualifying for the tournament but losing in the first round. However, she quickly gained momentum, achieving her first top 10 win at the Wimbledon Championships, where she reached the quarterfinals, becoming the first New Zealand woman to do so in the Open Era. Her remarkable run at Wimbledon included victories over several higher-ranked players, culminating in a quarterfinal match against Donna Vekić.
In addition to her Wimbledon success, Sun represented New Zealand in the 2024 Billie Jean King Cup and competed in the 2024 Olympics. She also reached her first WTA Tour-level final at the Monterrey Open, further solidifying her status as a formidable competitor on the tour.
Notable Works and Milestones
Among her notable achievements, Lulu Sun won the NCAA Championship in 2021 and was named the WTA Newcomer of the Year in December 2024. Her performance at Wimbledon in 2024 marked a significant milestone in her career, as she became one of the few New Zealand women to reach the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam event.
Lulu Sun Award Nominations
Lulu Sun has received recognition for her outstanding performances, including being nominated for the WTA Newcomer of the Year award in 2024, which she ultimately won.
Lulu Sun Awards Won
Sun’s accolades include winning the WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2024, highlighting her rapid ascent in the world of professional tennis.
| Award | Wins | Year |
|---|---|---|
| WTA Newcomer of the Year | 1 | 2024 |
Lulu Sun Family
Lulu Sun has an older sister named Phenomena Sun, who was active in professional tennis until 2016. Details about her parents are not publicly available.
Personal Life
Sun is currently residing in Geneva, Switzerland. While she maintains a focus on her professional career, she has not publicly disclosed information regarding her personal relationships.
