Qinwen Zheng made quite an impression during her WTA Finals photoshoot in Riyadh, capturing attention with her confident poses and natural presence in front of the camera. Known as “Queenwen” to her fans, Zheng is no stranger to the spotlight, having been featured in numerous magazines in China. Yet, despite her experience, she joked that her skills could still use some polishing, particularly when it comes to her makeup.
“Chinese fans say I look like I’m 40,” she laughed, acknowledging the comments with a playful smile. She added, “Maybe the makeup could be improved a bit. But yes, I’m confident in front of the camera. Not so much when I was younger—at 19, I felt really weird and was always asking people to teach me some poses. Now it feels natural, almost like I’m on the tennis court. It’s the same for me.” She wore a stunning Christian Dior dress for the shoot and was pleased with the look overall, although she couldn’t help but think about how she might improve for next time. “The dress was outstanding, but maybe next time I’ll have to work on the makeup!” she joked.
While Zheng’s appearance was met with admiration, her recent on-court performance has been equally impressive. She’s emerged as one of the most in-form players in the tournament, having only lost four matches since Wimbledon. She’s seen by many as a rising star to watch and enters the WTA Finals as a formidable opponent. One of her major tests will be against world number one Aryna Sabalenka, whom she’ll face in her group match this weekend.
The 21-year-old has quickly gained a reputation not only for her skill but also for her intense focus and determination on the court. In a sport where rivalries run deep, Zheng shared that she approaches her competition with a unique perspective, preferring to keep her distance from fellow players rather than forging friendships. Her reasoning is much like that of Novak Djokovic, who has openly stated that he avoids close relationships with competitors to maintain his focus and drive.
“My answer is very clear,” she explained. “I prefer to keep a distance with the other players. There’s a lot of competition, and I’m the sensitive type. If I become friends with someone, I feel I wouldn’t be able to focus completely or fight as hard when we’re on the court. When I have to scream, ‘Come on,’ I wouldn’t be able to because I’d feel a bit weird. If it’s a friend, I want them to feel good and win too. This is the opposite of what a tennis tournament is all about. I realized that it’s better not to try to make friends on tour. There are so many people outside of tennis—why should I limit my friendships to the tour, where I’m here to compete and win?”
Zheng’s approach is a strategic choice that helps her stay focused, but it hasn’t meant that she’s unfriendly or rude to her colleagues. She explained that while she keeps a respectful distance, she still maintains a polite rapport with other players. “This week, we’ve all been cordial,” she shared. “We say hello, congratulate each other on good seasons, and keep it professional. But I don’t go beyond that, and I don’t try to form deeper friendships. That’s just my way.”
While some might see this approach as isolating, Zheng sees it as necessary for her goals and mental clarity. She noted that her focus on the sport doesn’t mean she avoids friendships altogether; rather, she chooses to make those connections outside the intense world of professional tennis. “It’s not like I’m unfriendly or antisocial,” she clarified. “I’m just selective about where I invest my energy and emotions. Tennis is an intense career, and balancing everything is difficult enough.”
As she heads into one of the biggest events of her career, Zheng’s focus seems to be paying off. Her performance since Wimbledon has shown that she’s more than capable of challenging top players, and her current momentum is something her fans—and likely her competitors—are watching closely. Her match against Sabalenka this weekend will be one of the most anticipated clashes of the tournament, and Zheng is ready to prove herself on this global stage.
Zheng’s growing popularity, both in China and internationally, is a testament to her success, not only as an athlete but as a role model. She’s aware of the responsibility and embraces it, sharing glimpses of her personality and humor with fans. Her candidness, from makeup critiques to her philosophy on friendships in tennis, has made her relatable to many fans who admire her resilience and determination. And as she aims to continue her winning streak, she also acknowledges that it’s her unique approach to relationships and self-improvement—on and off the court—that helps her stay grounded and focused.
With a strong performance in Riyadh and a clear plan for her career, Zheng’s star continues to rise. Whether she’s “Queenwen” on the court or in front of the camera, she’s certainly making her mark in the world of tennis and is poised to continue inspiring fans with her fierce individuality and ambition.