Swiss siblings serve up double the fun

CHENGDU — Swiss athletes Henry and Jeffrey Von Der Schulenburg share more than just a surname. Spurred on by their close bond, the brothers embarked an impressive journey together through the tennis draws at the 31st FISU World University Games in Chengdu.

Their quest? To conquer the competition, overcome all challenges, and ultimately face each other in the final in Chengdu.

Henry, at 23 the elder brother by two years, majors in applied mathematics and economics at Harvard University, while Jeffrey studies global security and justice at the University of Virginia.

Since their childhood, the brothers have diligently practiced tennis, honing their skills and nurturing a deep companionship that spans nearly two decades. This unwavering bond has helped them flourish on the tennis court.

During the second round of the men's singles on July 31, both brothers secured straight-set victories to advance to the last-16 stage of the tournament.

Two days later, the brothers took to the court for the third round. Henry defeated a seeded player in a thrilling showdown, but fate dealt Jeffrey a different hand as the younger brother lost to a formidable Japanese opponent.

Despite the setback, Jeffrey continued to compete in the men's doubles while at the same time supporting his brother in the singles.

On Friday, Henry fought hard against a Portuguese player, finally winning the match and advancing to the semifinals. In the men's doubles semifinals on Friday, Jeffrey and his partner narrowly lost to a Czech pair. They immediately rushed to the center court after the match to cheer for Henry in his singles contest.

"It's always super helpful to have your teammates here," Henry said. "We're also very proud to play for the country."

Henry continued his relentless pursuit of excellence, battling fiercely to secure a final berth on Saturday before defeating Kasidit Samrej of Thailand 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to claim the title.

The newly crowned champion said he was impressed by the great atmosphere at the court. "Amazing crowd, it was really fun to play," he said.

Henry's admiration extended beyond the on-court excitement, with the Swiss heaping praise on the event's smooth organization.

"It's absolutely incredible, I don't think I've ever played a tournament or an event with such a high level of operation and organization," he said. "I'm really thankful and grateful to be here."

The brothers also savored the chance to experience China for the first time, with Chengdu's famous spicy food and the cultural activities organized in the athletes' village proving to be highlights of their trip.

"I had never been to China before, but now I love China," said Henry. "It's been an amazing experience. I think it's awesome here, and I will definitely come back."

Xinhua