“I didn’t respect her,” Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng spark a war of words after their Paris Olympics third-round encounter

Qinwen Zheng coming off a successful title defense in Palermo last week.

“I didn’t respect her,” Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng spark a war of words after their Paris Olympics third-round encounter

Emma Navarro and Qinwen Zheng (via Imago)

USA tennis star Emma Navarro and China’s Qinwen Zheng created a war of words at the end of their high-voltage clash at the Paris Olympics. Zheng prevailed with a 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 scoreline to reach the quarterfinal. However, the headlines followed after the match.

Speaking in her post-match interview, Navarro blasted the Australian Open finalist, calling her “cut-throat.” Zheng, being calm and composed, took the American’s words on the chin.

I just told her I didn't respect her as a competitor. 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. But, kudos to her, she played some good tennis there at the end. She played better than me, so congrats to her.
Emma Navarro said in her post-match press conference.

The temperatures rose during the second set when Zheng made a comeback from 3-5 down. She was seen involving the Chinese fans in the match, which seemed to have rattled Navarro.

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She told me she doesn't know how I have a lot of fans. It looks like she's not happy with my behaviour towards her. If she's not happy about my behaviour, she can come and tell me. I would like to correct it to become a better player and a better person. I’m glad that she told me that. I will not consider it an attack because she lost the match.
Qinwen Zheng said in her post-match interview.

The 23-year-old had a match point later on, but Zheng stood firm, playing a phenomenal tiebreak to extend the match to three sets. With the entire momentum on her side, the Chinese star won six of the last games to secure a quarterfinal spot in her maiden Olympic games.

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Qinwen Zheng leads China’s hopes in the tennis field at Paris Olympics

Qinwen Zheng is making a big mark at the Paris 2024 Olympics. In her first Olympics, the World No.7 has reached the quarterfinals. She has been in great form, losing only six games in her first two matches. After winning a title in Palermo last week, the 21-year-old from China now has an eight-match win streak.

Qinwen Zheng
Qinwen Zheng (Via Imago)
I've been wishing for the moment for so long. The Olympic games was one of my dreams since my childhood. I really wish I can do something great for China.
Qinwen Zheng said

Zheng is no stranger to playing for her country. Last September, she won gold in women’s singles at the 2023 Asian Games. She has continued to play well in Paris. She beat Sara Errani 6-0, 6-0 in the first round and Arantxa Rus 6-2, 6-4 in the second. On Tuesday, July 30, she won against America’s Emma Navarro 6-7(7), 7-6(4), 6-1.

Next, Zheng will face Angelique Kerber, who is playing her final event before retiring. The German is an Olympic silver medalist. Zheng’s recent success is timely, as she was knocked out in the first round at Wimbledon by New Zealand qualifier Lulu Sun. She had injured her tricep and had an eye infection before that match.

Zheng got a wild card into the final edition of the Palermo Ladies Open, where she won her first WTA Tour title last year. She played well on her favorite surface and defended her title, losing just one set. Now, she hopes to win China’s first Olympic singles medal. Li Na came close in 2008 but lost the bronze medal match. Zheng is one of two Chinese women in the Round of 16. Wang Xiyu also advanced after upsetting Diana Shnaider.

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