Qinwen Zheng, one of China’s rising tennis stars, has become a subject of both admiration and controversy on the WTA Tour. Her powerful performances on the court, including a landmark gold medal victory at the Paris Olympics earlier this year, have placed her in the global tennis spotlight. However, it’s her behavior during matches that has generated significant buzz, with fellow players and commentators questioning her sportsmanship and attitude. Known for her cold handshakes, confrontations with opponents and their coaches, as well as heated arguments with line judges, Zheng has developed a reputation as one of the most combative players on the circuit. While this reputation may not win her any popularity contests, it seems to suit her just fine.
The latest episode of Zheng’s on-court behavior came at the Wuhan Open, where she reached the final before losing to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. Although her performance throughout the tournament was commendable, it was overshadowed by several contentious incidents, including her infamous “cold handshake” with Sabalenka after the match—a gesture that many interpreted as disrespectful. This wasn’t the first time Zheng’s interactions with Sabalenka had raised eyebrows. During their clash at the US Open earlier this year, Zheng’s curt post-match handshake with the Belarusian drew similar criticism, leading many to speculate that there was a deeper animosity between the two.
The Wuhan Open final wasn’t the only moment where Zheng’s conduct came under fire. In one particularly dramatic instance, she clashed with a line judge, accusing him of obstructing her ability to make a backward shot. Frustrated, Zheng shouted at the official and vented her grievances to the chair umpire. Her outburst was yet another example of her fiery temperament on court, something that has increasingly been a focal point of discussions about her persona.
Zheng’s controversial actions haven’t been limited to high-profile finals either. In the round of 16 at Wuhan, during her match against Leylah Fernandez, Zheng found herself in a verbal confrontation with Fernandez’s coach and father, Jorge Fernandez. The incident began when Zheng, distracted by Jorge’s constant encouragement from the stands, complained to the umpire. The situation escalated when Zheng exchanged words with Fernandez and her team, which briefly caused tension before being de-escalated by the umpire. Reflecting on the incident later, Zheng explained, “I was distracted in the first set by what [Fernandez’s father] was saying… He was always talking, ‘C’mon, c’mon,’ before I started to return. That’s why I think I lost the game when I was 30-Love because I was a little bit distracted.”
This encounter was reminiscent of another controversial moment earlier in the season, when American player Emma Navarro called out Zheng for her behavior after their match at the Paris Olympics. Navarro, frustrated after losing to the Chinese star, openly criticized Zheng for what she saw as a “cut-throat” attitude and a lack of mutual respect. “I just told her I didn’t respect her as a competitor,” Navarro said after their Olympic clash. “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 doubled down on her remarks during the US Open, further stoking the debate about Zheng’s demeanor.
Despite the growing list of critics, Zheng remains unapologetic about her approach to the sport. In a candid interview with *Vogue China*, she shed light on why she doesn’t focus on building friendships within the tennis community. “I have not changed the thought of not making friends on tour,” Zheng said. “If I want to make true friends, I’d want the best for them, but they’d also want to win. It’s difficult to compete with friends—they’d not be happy if they lose, and I’ll not be happy either if I lose.” This mindset reflects her fiercely competitive nature and her reluctance to blur the lines between personal relationships and professional rivalries. It’s a stance that has clearly shaped her interactions on the tour and likely contributed to the friction between her and other players.
However, as polarizing as her on-court attitude may be, there’s no denying that Zheng’s performances have been impressive. In addition to her gold medal at the Paris Olympics, Zheng has climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 7 in the world and has consistently delivered strong results in recent tournaments. After her runner-up finish at the Wuhan Open, she remained positive about her progress despite the loss to Sabalenka. “She forced me to see some of the weaknesses in my tactics,” Zheng said after the final. “I really look forward to training. I look forward to the next match against her. After this loss, I’m feeling excited because I am doing better each time. There’s more room for improvement. I hope that I can close the gap and overcome this challenge.”
Zheng’s remarkable rise in the WTA rankings now positions her for a spot in the year-end WTA Finals in Riyadh, where only the top seven players automatically qualify. With her seventh-place ranking, she’s in prime position to make her debut at the prestigious tournament. Should she qualify, it would not only be a significant milestone in her young career but also provide her with a potential opportunity to face Sabalenka again, offering a chance for redemption after her defeat in Wuhan.
As Qinwen Zheng continues to navigate her burgeoning career, it’s clear that she is not concerned with popularity or forming friendships on the tour. Her singular focus is on improving her game and achieving success, even if that means rubbing her fellow competitors the wrong way. While some players thrive on camaraderie and mutual respect, Zheng is carving her own path, one that is defined by fierce independence and unrelenting competitiveness. Whether this approach will help or hinder her in the long run remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Qinwen Zheng is here to make waves, and she’s doing it her way.