Imagine being a child and standing beside your tennis idol, feeling completely amazed. For Lulu Sun, this fantasy turned into a reality when she was merely five years old. As she grew up, Lulu played in multiple ITF events and collegiate tennis before ultimately turning pro in 2022. Now, she is not only the 2024 Wimbledon quarterfinalist but has also made her mark in the Olympics. However, when she looked back at her tennis inspiration, she recalled her “obsession” with her idol, Rafael Nadal, and paid a heartfelt tribute to him!

Imagine it’s 2006, a year when Rafael Nadal captured 6 titles, including a second French Open trophy! The world watched him in awe, and it also included the eventual WTA player, Lulu Sun, who saw one of Nadal’s matches on-court (live) and even clicked a picture with him! Sharing this adorable and nostalgic moment on her Instagram, Sun answered a fan’s question during a Q&A session, “Who is your favorite player (men)?”

The Monterrey Open runner-up responded, “This man right here 🥹 (5 year old me was obsessed 😂).” In that picture, Sun, wearing her casual attire, is standing beside Nadal, dressed in a blue half-sleeved Nike t-shirt and white trousers, with a racquet in his hand. Moreover, Sun’s excitement on her face was palpable as she tightly held a doll in her hand, while Nadal, with his long hair and white Nike headband, kept smiling in a different direction.