What is the WTA Finals without some surprises? Well, that’s what’s happening in Riyadh. Brazilian athlete Neymar is around and his presence added extra charm to the event taking players like Aryna Sabalenka to the seventh sky in excitement. At this moment, Qinwen Zheng also confessed her experience with her team when Neymar arrived and offered a sly hint about whether she felt the same for the Brazilian athlete.

Zheng made an interesting revelation about her team’s reaction at Neymar’s arrival at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The Brazilian soccer star performed the coin toss ceremony to begin the singles match between Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini. Neymar, currently playing in Al Hilal for the Saudi Pro League also attended Carlos Alcaraz’s Six Kings Slam exhibition. He also autographed some tennis balls and threw them into the crowd. The  soccer player’s presence lifted the aura of the WTA Tour Finals. Zheng who was having a fitness session had a momentary pause as her coach and the team were left star-struck seeing the Brazilian.

In a candid interview, the Chinese player shared the experience with the audience. “My team, all of my team, they had a picture with him, I was there with my fitness coach, doing some fitness, and I was there with my exercise like this, and I see, ‘Where is my team?’ Ah, OK, they’re having pictures with Neymar! What I can say?” she said. Zheng also complimented Neymar and said, “He’s an incredible soccer player, yeah. But I think my team more interesting to [see] him instead of watching me … do fitness.” Zheng’s opponent Aryna Sabalenka, who beat her in the first match in the tournament was also thrilled to meet Neymar. She received an autographed shirt as a souvenir from the Brazilian soccer player.

The Chinese WTA star had to go through disappointment after losing the first round to Sabalenka. Zheng previously revealed that despite making a good impression at the 2024 Melbourne Slam, she didn’t take some tournaments seriously jeopardizing her chances for the WTA Tour Finals.

“It’s really funny I made the final of Australian Open but after that I didn’t take some tournaments seriously & didn’t get enough points. Judging from the points I have, it’s difficult for me to make the finals this year, I even complained to the team for not telling me earlier about the qualification of the WTA Finals. Now I feel the pressure but I cannot do anything. All I can do is give my best in the competitions,” she said. Her statements echoed her stress about the tournament.

Zheng also made a big confession about her experience in Saudi Arabia. Despite criticisms surrounding the country’s policies, players like Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka backed WTA for conducting the tournament in Riyadh. Now, the Chinese gold medalist player has come forward with her opinion about the matter.

Qinwen Zheng had a blunt response about playing in the WTA Tour Finals in Saudi Arabia

The current social policies of Saudi Arabia, especially about women’s rights became a centre of debate when the WTA confirmed partnering with the country for three years. When Zheng was asked to comment on it, she revealed that it didn’t matter to her. “No, actually I am not worried because doesn’t matter where I go, I just play tennis. It’s just a tennis tournament for me. I stand on the court, I play against another opponent, that’s it.”

Zheng’s went on to highlight her support for the organizing committee. She concluded, “Especially I felt if they can watch more woman athlete, how they are fighting on court. I feel sport is very beautiful to show the power of woman, to show the fight of woman, to show the energy. So I think it’s positive things that we have a tournament here because… I don’t know, I always feel there’s type of responsibility on my shoulder.”

Qinwen Zheng’s start at 2024 WTA Finals might not have been so good but she has two more chances against Elena Rybakina and Jasmine Paolini. Given Zheng’s confidence, it seems she might turn the table soon and impress everyone with her performance. What do you think of her chances?