After clinching a historic silver medal in the mixed doubles at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, Zhang Zhizhen hopes his achievement will ignite greater enthusiasm for tennis across China.
Zhang, alongside Wang Xinyu, secured China’s first-ever Olympic silver in mixed doubles tennis on Friday. The pair’s unexpected success was even more remarkable given that Wang stepped in for Zheng Qinwen at the last minute, leaving little time for the new duo to prepare.
“We didn’t have much time to get familiar with each other’s playstyles, but we gave it our all,” Zhang shared during an airport interview with CGTN Sports Scene’s Greg Laffradi. “Winning this medal was a proud moment for us and for Chinese tennis.”
Zhang, Wang, and Zheng represent a rising generation of tennis talent in China. Zhang expressed his desire for their Olympic performances to inspire more children to pick up a racket. “The more children play tennis, the better the sport will develop in our country,” he said.
Amid his Olympic journey, Zhang experienced another life-changing event: becoming a father. His wife gave birth to their daughter, whom they named “Aoyun,” meaning “Olympic” in Chinese. “I felt sorry I couldn’t be there with my wife during the delivery,” Zhang admitted. His wife playfully posted on Sina Weibo, urging him to hurry home and help with diaper duties.
As Zhang returns home, he carries not only an Olympic medal but also hopes of fostering a tennis renaissance in China. With new talents emerging and the nation watching, he believes now is the time to elevate the sport’s profile.
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Zhang hopes his Olympic silver can boost popularity of tennis in China
cgtn.com
