The tension was palpable during Qinwen Zheng’s 2024 US Open Round of 16 encounter against Donna Vekic. Leading the second set 3-2 with a crucial 40-30 advantage, the Chinese WTA talent suddenly became the target of a hateful slur, “yellow banana, yellow” – a derogatory term with a history of being used against Chinese athletes–from the stands. In a remarkable display of composure under pressure, Zheng went on to secure the victory against Vekic, delivering a concise yet powerful message through her performance: “I will beat you.” Her post-match reaction further revealed her character: “It’s two in the morning, it’s incredible. Thanks to the fans who are not sleeping tonight and support me here.” Now, seven months later, Qinwen Zheng’s resilient and gracious spirit remains unwavering. This time evidenced in Charleston.

Zheng, an Olympic gold medalist, advanced to the 2025 Charleston Open’s quarterfinals(her season’s third consecutive QF after 2025 Indian Wells and Miami) after beating Belgian Elise Mertens by 6-3, 3-6, and 6-3. This victory marks Zheng Qinwen’s 13th consecutive win on clay courts.

“Today the weather was really humid and hot, I think it is really difficult to stay focused from the beginning to the end,” admitted Zheng in her post-match interaction. However, there was one constant throughout: the American crowd’s support.

“I think it’s all of the crowd here, cause I see everyone here loves tennis and love this atmosphere. And I believe I won this match today because of all of the crowd. If there was no support today, I think I’m dead,” she said in her post-match on-court interview.

The WTA No. 8 started her season with a slow approach, winning just one of her first four matches including second round defeat at the Australian Open against Laura Siegemund. The result was surprising for many who predicted she would build upon her momentum from the breakout 2024 season that involved her breakthrough Paris Olympics run.

However, the Chinese player flipped the script in less than a month(since her Dubai campaign) and reached her first quarterfinal of the season at the Indian Wells. She followed it up with her second QF appearance in less than two weeks later in Miami. A week later, Zheng has now extended that impressive run to three in a row at the Charleston Open. This consistent performance suggests that she has been diligently working on and refining key aspects of her game.

After outclassing the former WTA No.3 Maria Sakkari in R32 in Charleston, Zheng told the Tennis Channel about her struggle with the hard court transition and how her coach helped through it.

“Actually, it was not easy because I was struggling a bit in the practise because my coach always tells me that you are playing too flat, we are on clay court not on hard court, I am just happy today that I played the right game on a clay court,” she said.

The 22-year-old star added, “Put more topspin and then stepped in when I could. On clay always prepare for more rallies, on hard I can finish in serve and one or two shots, but on clay I have to get ready for more balls back.” 

Although Zheng worked hard for this victory, her gratitude to her fans said a lot about her personality. However, this privilege is only for her fans because her opponents find her attitude quite the opposite.

Opponents hail Qinwen Zheng for her on-court rudeness

Last year in November, Zheng revealed her unique tour mindset when she denied having a friend here. Her reason? “I prefer always to keep the distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me. I am, like, the sensitive type with my heart. I don’t feel if I become friends with someone and I have to compete with them on court, I feel I’m not able to 100% focus and fight,” she said at the time.

While Zheng’s response highlighted her competitive mindset and, in a typical sense, minding her own business, her opponents had something else to say.

At the 2024 US Open press conference, Emma Navarro confessed her beef with the Chinese player during their Paris Olympics clash. The American said, “I don’t want to go super into the weeds with it. But I think during that match and, you know, on the practice court and the last few times I’ve played her…I felt just a little bit disrespected by her. You know, I don’t want to, like I said, go too into detail with it. But yeah, I think she didn’t necessarily treat me or the sport with respect. That’s why I said what I said after the match. But, yeah, that’s it.”

Like Navarro, Leylah Fernandez faced a similar incident with the Chinese WTA star. During their R16 clash in the 2024 Wuhan Open, Zheng was distracted by Fernandez’s father in the stands. The current world No. 8 protested, resulting in a feud with the Canadian Opponent. Tennis podcaster Myles David tweeted about the incident: “Fernandez double faulted in the very next point but not before walking closer to the net and asking Zheng what she said, they exchanged words, and then words were exchanged to the chair ump. Couldn’t make a lot of it out but the word ‘respectful’ was in the conversation.”

Nevertheless, Qinwen Zheng has advanced to the QF of the 2025 Charleston Open, waiting for her clash against Ekaterina Alexandrova. Are you rooting for her victory?