A first-round contest at the Huafa Properties Zhuhai Championships between Mackenzie McDonald and Shang Juncheng produced a heartwarming moment when McDonald gave his injured foe a piggyback back to his seat at the end of their match.
The match, which was eventually won by McDonald 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-3 was tightly contested up until a late fall from Shang appeared to affect his movement. As the match concluded, McDonald jogged over to his opponent to shake his hand but upon realising he would struggle to make it back to the side of the court unassisted, the American gave Shang a helping hand.
The act of generosity was well received by fans who clapped and cheered as the World No 39 carried Shang back to his seat. Shang appeared to appreciate the gesture as well as he giggled and milked the applause.
“I knew he was struggling so I ran to him to shake his hand,” McDonald told ATPTour.com. “He said, ‘Good match’, and he said, ‘Can you help me to the bench?’ I said, ‘Hop on’. So he jumped on my back and I carried him over to the bench and he said, ‘Good match, man.’”
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McDonald will now face Belgian Kimmer Coppejans in the round of 16 on Friday morning on centre court. The pair have played each other three times previously with McDonald coming out on top on every occasion.
Prior to that, McDonald beat Coppenjas in two straight sets 6-2, 6-2 at the San Francisco Challenger all the way back in 2017. Since their last encounter, McDonald has risen up to his highest world ranking to date, No 39.
Meanwhile, Coppenjas placed 186th in the world. He has not cracked the top 100 since his 2015 when he held the No 97 spot.
