Zheng Qinwen admits she is just not the one who will smile after a defeat and due to this fact there’ll most likely extra instances of what some describe as chilly handshakes.
Within the final yr, the Chinese language tennis star a number of instances discovered herself within the headlines due to her post-loss demeanor.
Zheng Qinwen and Aryna Sabalenka© YouTube screenshot
Whereas no participant has publicly addressed the 22-year-old’s handshakes, it’s not a secret that some WTA stars do not just like the world No. 5 very a lot.
For instance, Emma Navarro described the Chinese language as “disrespectful” and “cut-throat” after their Olympics match whereas Donna Vekic stated that there are “stories” concerning the 2024 Australian Open finalist.
Zheng: You will not see me lose a match after which have a cheerful face
“I always give a handshake to my opponent. I feel that’s basic respect. It doesn’t matter if I win or lose, I will give a handshake,” the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist defined.
“But not always with a smiling face. I know myself. I don’t often hug my opponent because I feel that’s unnecessary. I come here just to play a match. If I lose, I will give basic respect and that’s it.
“That is why you would not see me lose a match after which have a cheerful face in direction of my opponent. In case you did, that might be unusual and would imply I did not care about that match on that day.”
In the meantime, Zheng struggled a bit early in her opening Australian Open match however managed to seal a 7-6 (3) 6-1 win over Anca Todoni.
Within the Australian Open second spherical, Zheng performs in opposition to the winner of the match between Laura Siegemund and Hailey Baptiste.
