Chinese player Qinwen Zheng has an interesting take on her competitors. This WTA star is in Riyadh for her upcoming tournament. She’s determined as always to give her best. But her recent confessions about her equation with fellow WTA stars reveal probably she is a bit too focused. What was it? And how does it impact others around her?

Zheng will play her first match in the 2024 WTA Finals against Aryna Sabalenka. This Chinese player has been in a great shape this season. She kicked off her year as a finalist in Melbourne. After that,  she reached the US Open’s quarterfinals, China Open’s semifinals, and the Wuhan Open’s finals. Zheng recently won the 2024 Japan Open showing great potential in the sport. Now in the WTA finals, she seemed focused on her game. While offering insights about her preparation, this WTA star had an interesting revelation about making friends on tour.

In a press conference before the tournament, a journalist asked Zheng if she had any good friends among other WTA players. “I prefer always keep the distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me,” she responded. Revealing how she is “type of sensitive with the heart,” Zheng said she couldn’t be friends with someone and then compete against them on the court. “I don’t feel if I become friend with someone and I have to compete with them on court, I feel I’m not able to 100% focus and fighting. When I have to scream, C’mon I’m not able to do that because I will feel a bit weird,” said Zheng.

This Chinese player’s words echoed how she prefers to separate her personal life from her professional commitments. Zheng mentioned that she has the whole world to make friends with. “Why I have to just make friends here? I come here to compete with them, to win the match,” she said.

This Chinese star delved deeper to reveal how she maintains a healthy connection with her rivals during tournaments. While she prefers healthy distance, Zheng has been professional and humble with other players. In the press conference, she offered her take on attending the WTA finals in Riyadh. Zheng confirmed that she is many steps away from making friends with the competitors. However, that brings the question of whether she interacts with her opponents at all. In her response, the WTA star said, “We are just saying hello. Sometimes say congrats to your great season. No more talk with no more people. I never go for more. I don’t try to go for more, as well, yeah.” Zheng’s response highlighted that her humble gestures towards her competitors are a part of her basic etiquette. However, Zheng graced the WTA Finals cover with her beautiful look and grabbed a position alongside her famous rivals such as Iga Swiatek or Coco Gaff.

Qinwen Zheng received a backlash for her attitude before too. During the 2024 Paris Olympics, her competitor Emma Navarro made surprising comments about the Chinese star’s attitude. While the duo had some heated arguments, Navarro’s revelation highlighted Zheng’s particular behavior with her competitors.

Qinwen Zheng received a strong comment from Emma Navarro after their heated argument

Navarro and Zheng were involved in an argument while playing in the Paris Olympics. While Zheng won the match and proceeded toward the quarterfinals, she received some strong words from the American opponent. “I just told her I didn’t respect her as a competitor,” said Navarro. She further continued and said, “I think she goes about things in a pretty cut-throat way, It makes for a locker room that doesn’t have a lot of camaraderie, so it’s tough to face an opponent like that, who I really don’t respect.” Navarro’s words highlighted how Zheng’s competitive personality makes the atmosphere a bit difficult for other players.

Qinwen Zheng’s 2024 performance has secured her a solid place in the rankings. Now with her statement, she has offered a look into her incredibly focused self. How do you think her attitude will help her? Do you think Zheng can make it?