In the aftermath of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she secured her nation’s inaugural Olympic gold medal in women’s tennis, Zheng Qinwen has been on a whirlwind tour. Following the closing ceremony, she made her way to Cincinnati to prepare for the US Open, but unfortunate circumstances led to her falling ill. After a challenging experience that included playing four sets while unwell, she returned to China. In Beijing, she had a brief reunion with her father on the airport tarmac and subsequently joined fellow Chinese Olympians in a meeting with President Xi Jinping.

Just four days later, in New York, the 21-year-old tennis prodigy addressed the media, discussing her remarkable year and the preparations for her third appearance at the US Open, where she is seeded seventh. She is set to face 22-year-old American wild card Amanda Anisimova in the first round on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Zheng’s exceptional year commenced in January at the Australian Open, where she reached the finals, ultimately losing to Aryna Sabalenka. Reflecting on that experience, Zheng shared her struggles with motivation, citing nerves and heavy legs that hindered her performance.

However, her journey at the Olympics proved to be transformative. Drawing inspiration from Chinese Olympic legend Liu Xiang, who won gold in the 110-meter hurdles in 2004, Zheng watched videos of his triumph multiple times daily. “If he can achieve such greatness at 21, so can I,” she realized, which fueled her energy on the court.

During her Olympic campaign, Zheng displayed phenomenal tenacity, defeating Sara Errani, saving a match point against Emma Navarro, overcoming Angelique Kerber despite trailing, and finally securing victory over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and Croatian Donna Vekic for the gold medal.

“Winning the Olympic gold was a reminder to maintain my motivation and avoid complacency. I am focusing on nurturing my mental game to consistently elevate my performance and avoid unnecessary losses,” Zheng stated. After her Olympic success, she aspires to maintain a high level of play and aims to overcome personal barriers.

Despite the exigencies of transitioning from clay to hard courts, Zheng’s performance in Cincinnati fell short, losing in the second round. She attributed this setback to illness and insufficient practice time following her arrival.

The most poignant moment of Zheng’s recent journey occurred when she returned to China to meet her parents, who greeted her with flowers. “Although the visit was brief, it provided me with a sense of peace and warmth. My father provided me with new targets and goals, reinforcing the ambitions I already hold for myself,” she concluded. Although she did not publicly disclose her specific aspirations, reaching another Grand Slam final seems a fitting ambition as she progresses into the next phase of her career at the US Open.

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