Hey there, fellow tennis enthusiasts It’s your girl Mia Johnson-Carter here, living the dream in Miami. Today, I’m super excited to dive into a fascinating story about one of the top players in the WTA Tour—Zheng Qinwen. Her recent comments about not having any friends on the tour have been making waves in the tennis community. Let’s get into it!
Zheng Qinwen, the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist, has been open about her unique approach to professional tennis. In a recent interview, she explained why she prefers to keep her distance from other players on the WTA Tour. According to her, the intense competition between them makes it difficult for her to form close relationships. Here’s what she had to say:
“My answer is very clear, I always prefer to keep my distance from other players. There is a lot of competition between us. I am a very sensitive girl. I don’t feel like I can become friends with someone and then have to compete on the court, I wouldn’t focus 100% to fight,” Zheng explained.
She also mentioned that she believes being close to rivals could mentally distract her in certain matchups. “As soon as I encourage myself, I would feel weird. Deep down, if it’s a friend, I want her to win and succeed in life. It’s the opposite of what I think in a tennis tournament,” Zheng added.
This stance has not gone unnoticed by her peers. Some stars have called out Zheng for her behavior in the locker room, indicating that she wasn’t liked much by her colleagues. For instance, Emma Navarro and Donna Vekic publicly criticized her after matches, accusing her of being cutthroat and unfair.
To no one’s surprise, Zheng refused to engage in a war of words with Navarro, opting for a politically correct response instead. “If she is not happy with my behavior, she can come and tell me. I would like to correct it to become a better player and a better person,” Zheng said.
Despite these challenges, Zheng Qinwen continues to excel in her career. She recently participated in the WTA Finals, where she faced off against top players like Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina. Although she lost her opening match to Sabalenka, she managed to defeat Rybakina in a later round, keeping her chances for the semifinals alive.
Zheng’s decision to maintain a professional distance from her fellow players might be unconventional, but it’s clear that she is focused on her game. As we see in the world of tennis, maintaining a professional demeanor is crucial for success. Whether you’re a fan of Zheng’s approach or not, it’s undeniable that she’s making waves in the sport.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it [here](https://www.tennisworldusa.org/tennis/news/Tennis_Stories/149530/zheng-qinwen-answers-why-she-has-no-wta-friends-after-being-shaded-by-fellow-stars/).
Yours truly,
Mia
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