Imagine Novak Djokovic calling you and you deny it? One hell of a scenario this might prove to be for many, but Qinwen Zheng did it. The Chinese superstar rose to stardom after clinching the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. In an event where the likes of Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and others were already heavy favorites, she took the opportunity to rise to the top and stun everyone. However, despite all the fame and success and joining the Serbian in an elite company, why did she decide to snub him?

Currently playing at the China Open, a reporter, during the post-match press conference, asked, “Djokovic came here with his gold medal. I understand your gold medal is at home. When you had an interview after the Olympics, you said you will cherish the memory of the Olympics and when you are down you will think of this experience. How are you keeping your gold medal?: Responding to this, she mentioned how Djokovic brings his medal everywhere, using it as a source of motivation. She found it funny that he invited her to the Great Wall, but she couldn’t go because of her schedule. Zheng expressed regret about not getting a photo with his gold medal.

“I think, indeed, the gold medal brings me a lot of energy, just like Djokovic. He has the gold medal everywhere he goes, from Europe to the U.S. and all the way to China. Of course, the gold medal brought him a lot of great energy. I did not have the chance to take a picture with his gold medal. I really wish I could practice with him with his gold medal,” said Zheng in the interview.

Thus, Qinwen Zheng had to compromise with the biggest regret. With Chinese players setting the global stage on fire, she now expects Chinese tennis to soar to new heights.

Qinwen Zheng believes Chinese tennis will reach new heights

Qinwen Zheng had an impressive start at WTA Beijing, defeating Kamila Rakhimova 6-1, 6-1. In the press conference afterward, she expressed her happiness about playing in her home country and thanked the Beijing fans for their support following her gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Zheng made it clear how much she enjoyed the atmosphere, saying, “The atmosphere at the US Open wasn’t as good as what we experienced here today.” She was also asked about the bright future of Chinese tennis, with six players in the WTA Top 100 and three in the ATP rankings.

“I am 21 years old, a player of this new generation, so I don’t think I am the right person to answer that. However, I have always believed that Chinese tennis will eventually take a central stage on the world scene,” Zheng concluded.

Having made her way into the final 16 of the tournament, she will now be willing to make her way further into the event. With a bright future ahead of her, will she be able to raise the Chinese flag higher? Do let us know in the comments below!