It appears that handshakes and Qinwen Zheng remain a hot topic in the tennis world. Throughout the past few months, the Chinese tennis star has found herself in the spotlight for her frosty post-match interactions, and her latest encounter with Coco Gauff at the WTA Finals was no exception. While Gauff staged a remarkable comeback to clinch the title, Zheng’s unemotional handshake at the net has once again fueled conversation among fans and analysts alike. Rennae Stubbs, the former coach of Serena Williams, who has frequently commented on Gauff’s recent performances, weighed in on the post-match exchange, adding to the buzz surrounding the event.
In a thrilling final match in Riyadh, Gauff defeated Zheng 3-6, 6-4, 7-6(2) in a grueling contest that lasted over three hours. The victory was nothing short of dramatic as Gauff collapsed onto the court in celebration, screaming in relief and triumph. Following the emotional outburst, she rose to greet Zheng and the chair umpire with a handshake before fully immersing herself in the celebratory atmosphere with the crowd. However, Zheng’s stoic demeanor during the handshake drew more attention than expected, as she barely acknowledged her opponent, sparking yet another debate about her on-court demeanor.
Stubbs, who was active on social media throughout the match, posted a tweet congratulating Gauff: “Coco will win now….. been a great contest and a wonderful rivalry hopefully for the future.” One fan replied, praising Gauff’s victory and characterizing the handshake as warm and emotional. Stubbs, with a hint of irony, responded with a simple emoji, effectively capturing the skepticism surrounding Zheng’s icy demeanor. Given Zheng’s recent history, this moment was anticipated with keen interest by tennis followers, and, true to form, Zheng did not surprise them by maintaining her reserved persona.
The fascination with Zheng’s handshakes is not new. Earlier this year, she was criticized for her curt post-match interaction with Aryna Sabalenka following their quarterfinal match at the 2024 US Open, where Sabalenka cruised past Zheng with a 6-1, 6-2 victory. On that occasion, Zheng’s disappointment was palpable, and her refusal to engage in a meaningful handshake drew widespread attention. The pattern repeated itself at the Wuhan Open when Sabalenka once again emerged victorious in a tight three-set battle, leading to another distant handshake devoid of eye contact.
But Sabalenka and Gauff are not alone in experiencing Zheng’s frosty reactions. Croatian player Donna Vekic once remarked that “a lot of controversial stories” circulate about Zheng in the locker room, though she chose not to elaborate further. This sentiment was echoed following a tense encounter at the Paris Olympics, where Zheng’s handshake with Vekic left fans and pundits perplexed. Emma Navarro, too, voiced her dissatisfaction after facing Zheng, hinting at a lack of respect in their exchange.
Despite these ongoing critiques, Zheng offered a few words of acknowledgment to Gauff after the final in Riyadh. “Congrats to the champion,” she said, praising Gauff’s exceptional performance and wishing her a bright future. This moment, while brief, demonstrated a glimpse of sportsmanship from Zheng, whose reserved nature has often been interpreted as unfriendliness. Her perspective on making friends on tour further sheds light on her behavior. In a previous interview, Zheng explained, “I have not changed the thought (of not making friends on tour), because if I wanna 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 lost.” This pragmatic approach to competition perhaps explains her distance from opponents during and after matches.
Reflecting on her own 2024 season, Zheng expressed gratitude to her team and acknowledged the fans in Riyadh for their support. Her year has been impressive, highlighted by two titles and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. She did not shy away from mentioning Gauff’s name while concluding her remarks, noting, “Congrats to the champion. It’s your first title here. I wish you have a great future.” These words, though formal, demonstrated a level of respect for Gauff’s achievement.
Gauff, in turn, reciprocated the sentiments by commending Zheng’s fight and accomplishments. “You had a stellar season. Winning the gold medal and reaching so many finals. Hopefully, we can play many more finals together,” Gauff said, highlighting their mutual respect and hinting at a potential future rivalry. With their head-to-head record currently standing at 2-0 in Gauff’s favor, fans will be eager to see if Zheng can turn the tide in 2025.
The dynamic between these two rising stars is captivating and complex. While Zheng’s stoic handshakes may continue to spark debate, her talent on the court and fierce competitive spirit cannot be denied. As her career unfolds, tennis enthusiasts will watch closely to see if she can soften her public persona or if her reserved demeanor becomes a defining aspect of her legacy. For now, the contrast between Gauff’s exuberance and Zheng’s steely composure adds another layer of intrigue to the sport’s evolving narrative.