At just 22 years old, Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen has skyrocketed to World No. 5, capping off a remarkable season filled with groundbreaking achievements.
Zheng began the year with outstanding performances, reaching her maiden Grand Slam final at the Australian Open. This milestone propelled her into the Top 10 for the first time in her career.
The second half of the year saw Zheng elevate her game even further. After successfully defending her title in Palermo, she represented China at the Olympic Games. There, Zheng made history by defeating the then-World No. 1 and four-time French Open champion, Iga Swiątek, to secure China’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in women’s singles tennis.
Reflecting on her Olympic triumph, Zheng shared, “When I play for my country, there’s always extra strength holding me up on the court. In these Olympic Games, I fought for my country and for myself. Getting this gold medal is an unbelievable experience.”
Continuing her impressive form, Zheng excelled during the Asian swing. She cemented her spot at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, reached her first WTA 1000 semifinal in Beijing, and advanced to her first WTA 1000 final in Wuhan before claiming the title in Tokyo.
“I’d like to reach as far as I can so my people can watch me more on the tennis court,” Zheng said. “I’m not feeling any pressure. I just want to keep playing with a calm mind and figure out what I’m capable of. I just focus on each day.”
Zheng’s exceptional season culminated at the prestigious WTA Finals, where she impressively reached the championship match. Her relentless determination and indomitable spirit have solidified her status as one of tennis’s brightest talents.
With her eyes set on the future, Zheng Qinwen is poised to carry this momentum into the next season. The tennis world eagerly anticipates what the rising star will achieve next.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
