Zheng Qinwen’s remarkable journey to the 2024 Australian Open final has not only captivated tennis enthusiasts but also ignited controversy surrounding her former coach, Wim Fissette.
The Chinese player’s fairytale run comes in the wake of a controversial break-up with Fissette, who opted to rejoin forces with his former apprentice, Naomi Osaka, leaving Qinwen coachless at the start of the new season. Despite the unexpected setback, Qinwen quickly regrouped and teamed up with longtime coach Pere Riba for the 2024 season.
Qinwen’s resurgence has been nothing short of impressive, defeating notable opponents like Ashlyn Krueger, Katie Boulter, Wang Yafan, Oceane Dodin, Anna Kalinskaya, and Dayana Yastremska to secure her place in the Grand Slam final.
Social media has been buzzing with praise for Qinwen, with fans highlighting the perceived misstep in Fissette’s coaching decisions. One fan expressed the sentiment that Qinwen’s success is the ultimate form of revenge, stating, “This is the best revenge of all time probably.”
Another fan weighed in on Fissette’s move to reunite with Naomi Osaka, characterizing it as one of the worst coaching fumbles in recent sports history. “Bump. Imagine what Wim Fissette is thinking right now lol. One of the worst coaching fumbles I’ve seen in sports in quite a while going back to a washed woke Osaka over Zheng.”
Zheng Qinwen’s resilience and stellar performance on the court have added an unexpected layer of drama to the Australian Open, making her journey to the final a compelling storyline. As the tennis world eagerly anticipates the championship match, the controversy surrounding Fissette’s decisions adds an intriguing element to an already captivating tournament.
Zheng at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Now ranked no.15, Qinwen has a 8-1 win-loss record in 2024. Qinwen is playing at the moment at the Australian Open where she overcame the world no.76 Ashlyn Krueger 3-6 6-2 6-3, the world no.54 Katie Boulter 6-3 6-3, the world no.94 Yafan Wang 6-4 2-6 7-68, the world no.95 Oceane Dodin 6-0 6-3, the world no.75 Anna Kalinskaya 6-74 6-3 6-1 and the world no.93 Dayana Yastremska 6-4 6-4.
Qinwen Zheng will square off with the world no.2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Their current head to head is 1-0 for Sabalenka.
Qinwen Zheng |
| Embed from Getty Images |