Qinwen Zheng has become a household name in China following her stunning victory at the Olympics. The young tennis star opened up about the overwhelming attention she received upon her return home, describing the experience as surreal.
“After the Olympic Games, everybody in China started to know me,” Zheng shared. She recounted how her popularity skyrocketed, leading to late-night autograph sessions at the airport. “I was there till 1 a.m. signing for all the Chinese people. I can’t say no to them because they’re kids,” she explained.
Zheng’s newfound fame has brought both pressure and responsibility, but she views it as an opportunity to grow. “It’s a chance for me to become a better player,” she said. The tennis star acknowledged the challenges but remains focused on embracing her role as an inspiration to many.
Qinwen Zheng says her fame in China has gotten crazy after winning the Olympics, ‘I was at the airport til 1 a.m. signing for all the Chinese people… I can’t say no to them because they’re kids”
“I just wanted to ask you what the reception has been at home, what your sense of… pic.twitter.com/zwKSevjInh
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 30, 2024
Zheng at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2024
Ranked world no.7 (career-high), Qinwen has achieved an overall 36-13 win-loss record in 2024. Qinwen is now competing at the U.S. Open where she toppled the world no.50 Amanda Anisimova 4-6 6-4 6-2, the world no.75 Erika Andreeva 6-7(3) 6-1 6-2 and the world no.101 Jule Niemeier 6-2 6-1.
Qinwen Zheng will take on the world no.219 Alice Tubello in the quarter. They have never played each other up to now in top competitions.
Qinwen conquered 2 titles in 2024 in Palermo and Paris. Qinwen got to the final at the Australian Open.
The Chinese won 4 titles in her career: 1 on hard courts and 3 on clay courts. (See the list of her titles)
