Zheng Qinwen is going to be a force in women's tennis. Sending her into milestones that many only wish for and cannot achieve, Zheng Qinwen now has anything but a facile march into the Australian Open final. The same applies to the Wuhan Open against some of the sport's best. Zheng also took headlines after being crowned to win a gold medal in women's singles at the Paris Olympics, both further bolstering her status and also inscribing her name in the history books of Chinese sports. With remarkable performances, she is now ranked at a career-high No. 7 on the WTA tour, meanwhile topping the list of sports bright prospects.
Of course, with success comes its share of controversy and scrutiny. Zheng certainly had her own. During her Olympic tour, she faced pointed remarks from a fellow competitor in the form of Emma Navarro, who boldly declared that she did not respect Zheng as a player. The tension in the locker room may have more to say about Zheng's personality, which might not win friends in that environment, as Donna Vekic, one of Zheng's Olympic final opponents, hinted. Such scenarios make observers raise questions about professional tennis: at what weight does reputation carry in such an environment? Whereas these features cannot capture the sum of Zheng's talent or her potential, they certainly outline a picture of a player struggling with the realities of fame and rivalry.
The general sense of competition can, of course, exacerbate tensions; Zheng's desire to be master of the court will indeed cost her a social price: rather than cultivating mutual support, the emphasis is only on winning, which many people see as brutal. While the conquest of victory is integral to sports, so too are the methods and behaviors that follow. It raises one question: can one be both a fierce competitor and, at the same time, a respected peer? Zheng's recent actions at the Wuhan Open may help paint a clearer picture for such an ongoing debate.
In the Wuhan Open final against Aryna Sabalenka Zheng, she was seen to exhibit behavior that troubled many observers. At this stage with the score level but Zheng on serve, she allowed the lob from Sabalenka to sail out of her reach. In frustration at this stage, Zheng lashed out at a linesperson who had only stood in her original position on the court. Instead of taking things, Zheng shouted at the face of the official, something many thought inappropriate and, at times, uncalled for. The outburst hounded her comportment, and it only strengthened the perception that she is fast becoming a polarizing figure in sports.
To Zheng's credit, the linesperson did not flinch. Meanwhile, Sabalenka stayed in her zone, taking the third set 6-3 for a conclusive win. This incident, though isolated, contributes to the chatter that Zheng is getting a reputation that will eclipse her athletic prowess. Critics will say that such an outburst betrays an unpardonable lack of professionalism, especially in the context of her already complicated relationships within the tennis community.
It will be a wonder to watch how Zheng Qinwen balances this competitive drive with the need to be respectful and show sportsmanship as she continues on her path in tennis. After all, this is a young talent that tennis followers have been waiting for close signs that she might be able to turn this burgeoning success into a legacy way beyond the playing court. Fans and critics alike will have much to discuss as her journey unfolds.
