Qinwen Zheng reveals why she’s not friends with rivals on tour unlike other WTA stars

Qinwen Zheng sheds light on why she doesn't make friends like other WTA players on Tour, amid criticism about her demeanor on and off court.

Qinwen Zheng reveals why she’s not friends with rivals on tour unlike other WTA stars

Qinwen Zheng (Image via X)

Qinwen Zheng has flourished in the second half of the 2024 season after having reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open earlier in the year. Fellow WTA players have claimed that she’s a fierce competitor both on and off the court. Zheng has finally revealed why she remains unfriendly and keeps a competitive mood on Tour.

Zheng made her mark in this season after beating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics and going on to claim the Olympic gold medal. She had already won the Palermo Ladies Open a week before her triumph at the Summer Games. Nevertheless, with her new fame, she has faced fierce scrutiny from fellow players.

Zheng has been criticized for her frosty handshakes after every match and for chirping at the crowd when against her. Emma Navarro and Leylah Fernandez have labeled her a fierce competitor and that she has a bad demeanor. Recently, she claimed the Pacific Open title after beating Sofia Kenin, who was in tears during the match.

Now, Zheng has finally opened up about the reason behind her behavior. She revealed that she prefers to keep her distance from other players and not make friends with her rivals on Tour.

My answer is very clear: I prefer always to keep the distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me. I am, like, the sensitive type with my heart. I don’t feel if I become friends with someone and I have to compete with them on court, I feel I’m not able to 100% focus and fight. When I have to scream, ‘C’mon,’ I’m not able to do that because I will feel a bit weird.Once I figure out that, I decided don’t try to make a friend on tour because there’s so many people outside of the tennis world.

Qinwen Zheng (via WTA Finals Riyadh Press)

Meanwhile, Zheng has been in great form since exiting in the first round of Wimbledon. She has improved her record to 24-4 since the tournament and has won two WTA singles titles and an Olympic gold medal.

Qinwen Zheng reveals what she only says to other players at the WTA Finals

All the eight players competing in the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia have been forced to spend some time with each other in practice and public events. With the tournament beginning on Saturday (November 2), several players like Iga Swiatek and Jasmine Paolini arrived a week ago.

Qinwen Zheng (via WTA)
Qinwen Zheng (via WTA)

Meanwhile, Qinwen Zheng has revealed that she doesn’t talk much with the other seven players. She added that she only says “hello” and “congrats on your great season.”

We are just saying hello. Sometimes say congrats to your great season. No more talk with no more people. I never go for more. I don’t try to go for more, as well, yeah.

Qinwen Zheng said

Zheng enters with WTA Finals with a fantastic 41-16 record this season. She will open her campaign against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, after that, she will face Paolini and Elena Rybakina.