Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen, fresh off her historic gold medal victory at the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris, is setting her sights on the Wuhan Open. On Wednesday, the 22-year-old secured her spot in the last 16 with a commanding straight-sets win over wild card Jaqueline Cristian in Wuhan, central China's Hubei Province.
Celebrating her birthday just a day earlier, Zheng sat down with CGTN Sports Scene to share her aspirations for the tournament and reflect on life after her Olympic triumph.
"My expectation in the Wuhan Open is to give my best in every single match," Zheng told Sports Scene's Shen Xiang. "Of course, I would like to progress as far as I can so people could watch me more on the tennis court. But, you know, no pressure. I just want to keep myself playing with a calm mood and focus on every day."
Since capturing the Olympic gold, Zheng has become a household name, drawing significant media attention. However, she remains grounded, emphasizing the importance of staying present. "I'm trying to use less social media and to keep myself in the real world instead of on the internet," she said, highlighting her approach to managing distractions.
While she appreciates the newfound attention, Zheng acknowledges the weight of expectations that come with it. "It's tough to control winning or losing. You can only do what you can on that day," she reflected, showcasing her mature perspective on competition and success.
As a role model for aspiring athletes, Zheng offered words of wisdom for the next generation. "When you enjoy the sport, you will give more energy; you will have more passion," she noted. "That means you're going to put more power into tennis training, your diet, your fitness training. I mean, it's not easy to do that 365 days a year. It's easy to do for a week, maybe. But if you want to reach a high level, you need to remain disciplined."
Zheng's journey from a promising young talent to an Olympic champion serves as an inspiration to many. As she continues her quest at the Wuhan Open, fans around the world eagerly watch to see how far her talent and determination will take her.
Reference(s):
Zheng Qinwen on expectations for Wuhan Open, life after Olympic gold
cgtn.com
