"Princess Sissi", "Milk Roll Cake", and "Chicken": Here are some of the nicknames that Chinese fans have for top ATP players
ATP
Several Top 10 players are competing at the ATP China Open this week, with the appearance of Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, and Stefanos Tsitsipas reviving interest in the nicknames given to top players by Chinese fans.
The ATP Tour returned to China this season for the first time in four years, with COVID-19 restrictions making it difficult to compete in the country in recent times combined with the Peng Shuai controversy.
However, the field at this week's ATP 500 tournament in Beijing is packed with top-level talent, including eight Top 10 players - most of whom have fascinating nicknames in the country, usually (but not always) relating to something specific about the player.
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Meaning behind players' nicknames, from "Duck" to "Princess Sissi"
Two-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is called "Duck" after the Pokemon character Psyduck. The character is known for its psychic powers and arms with three claws.
Meanwhile, World No. 5 Tsitsipas is nicknamed "Princess Sissi" due to his long blond hair, while Jannik Sinner is called "Milk roll cake" after a famous Taiwanese cake brand named Yannick.
The two Russians in the Top 10, Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, are both given variations on "Monkey", with the former bearing the nickname "Long-Arm Monkey" while the latter holds the longer title of "Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey." Medvedev is also known as "Prime Minister" in the country.
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Ruud, Rune, and Djokovic also given nicknames
Ruud arguably has the most layered nickname, being known as "Headmaster's Good Student" due to the fact that he trains at 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal's tennis academy. In contrast to this, one of the more unusual ones goes to Holger Rune, whose nickname "Nene" unrelatedly means underwear in Chinese.
World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who is not competing in Beijing, has the nickname of "Chicken", leading his rivalry with Alcaraz to sometimes be called "Chicken and Duck."
Another interesting nickname was given to the now-retired Roger Federer, who was named "Cow" after being gifted a cow in Gstaad after winning his first Wimbledon title in 2003. This led his fans to be called "Milk Powder".
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- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??
mandoist08-11-2026 - Wtf? Why is there no reason? And what about the men's?Bel08-11-2026
- One step by another step -- WTA continues to 'lose the plot'. Too many hi-tech microphones being installed at most venues!!! Remove them (especially those along the hallways, sidewalks, and pathways throughout the venues. Not to mention (most of all) remove the mic's from the Players/Coaches Box.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.
mandoist06-11-2026 - Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Jess is absolutely correct! But the disrespect is a trait I have noticed in most of the Russian players. Mirra is good but very immature and lacks humility. Conceivable needs to get a handle on that!Rapunzel05-11-2026
- Having spent weeks and weeks through the years on tour, I can say with confidence that Conchita was (is) one of the very few who realize the surprising level of maturity (and sometimes lack of) which Mirra seems to have developed in such a demanding adult world of Pro-Tennis. While at the same time reminding herself (Conchita, that is) that Mirra is still young and developing mentally and physically. The general public may forget at times, or not at all realize, these modern era young athletes do not have a 'normal' Youth. It's a major sacrifice, among countless sacrifices, these athletes must make. People who blow-off that fact are ignorant and unfair when they blurt out, "They choose fame so they have to put up with the intrusions on their lives". No, they do not.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Okay... someone with a camera was EAVESDROPPING on a private conversation. Shouldn't that be the point of discussion here? Regardless of the sensationalist crap by media, Pegula (and anyone) has a right to an opinion. There used to be an expectation that private conversations were respected, regardless of 'stardom' and whatever other defensive excuses media tries to shove in our faces. Boo-hoo if feelings are hurt. BTW: Having been employed at various tourney venues, etc., I can't tell you how nasty and offensive players can be when discussing their opponents and colleagues... in "private". Well, I could, but won't. I also challenge anyone to deny what Jessica said is false.
mandoist05-11-2026 - Vacherot is Mongasque, rather than Swiss. The tournament was Swiss :DTrwd7702-11-2026
- After a couple decades traveling to IIHF tourneys overseas... our family is done with it... and I will not be the only one!! Bad enough the NHL allows Ovachenko (a Putin Supporter and Campaigner) to live and play in the USA. Let's not forget the STATE SPONSORED RUSSIAN DOPING PROGRAMS still in effect today.
mandoist31-10-2026









