Zheng Qinwen admits she is simply not the one who will smile after a defeat and therefore there will probably more cases of what some describe as cold handshakes.
In the last year, the Chinese tennis star several times found herself in the headlines because of her post-loss demeanor.
Following a US Open quarterfinal defeat to Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng’s frosty handshake went viral – but that was only one of a couple of similar instances.
Zheng Qinwen and Aryna Sabalenka© YouTube screenshot
While no player has publicly addressed the 22-year-old’s handshakes, it is not a secret that some WTA stars don’t like the world No. 5 very much.
For example, Emma Navarro described the Chinese as “disrespectful” and “cut-throat” after their Olympics match while Donna Vekic said that there are “stories” about the 2024 Australian Open finalist.
Zheng: You won’t see me lose a match and then have a happy face
“I always give a handshake to my opponent. I feel that’s basic respect. It doesn’t matter if I win or lose, I will give a handshake,” the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist explained.
“But not always with a smiling face. I know myself. I don’t often hug my opponent because I feel that’s unnecessary. I come here just to play a match. If I lose, I will give basic respect and that’s it.
“That’s why you wouldn’t see me lose a match and then have a happy face towards my opponent. If you did, that would be strange and would mean I didn’t care about that match on that day.”
Meanwhile, Zheng struggled a bit early in her opening Australian Open match but managed to seal a 7-6 (3) 6-1 win over Anca Todoni.
Following the win, the 22-year-old was in good spirits and she smiled as she was shaking the Romanian qualifier’s hand.
In the Australian Open second round, Zheng plays against the winner of the match between Laura Siegemund and Hailey Baptiste.
Tennis World USA