4-8-2024 (PARIS) In a momentous achievement, 21-year-old Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen etched her name into the annals of history by clinching the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Saturday. The sixth seed delivered a masterclass in precision and power, defeating Croatia’s Donna Vekić 6-2, 6-3 in a match that underscored her rising dominance in the sport.
This gold medal not only marks Zheng’s first at the Olympics but also represents a groundbreaking milestone, as she becomes the first Asian-born player to win an Olympic singles title. The match, played on the hallowed clay courts of Roland Garros, was a testament to Zheng’s tenacity and skill – qualities that have propelled her into the global tennis spotlight this year.
The journey to the gold medal was fraught with challenges, notably in the semifinals where Zheng faced off against the world No. 1 and four-time French Open champion, Iga Swiatek. In a thrilling encounter, Zheng emerged victorious with a 6-2, 7-5 scoreline, disrupting Swiatek’s hopes of adding an Olympic gold to her illustrious list of accolades. Swiatek, a favourite for the title, later secured the bronze medal, defeating Slovakia’s Anna-Karolina Schmiedlova.
Saturday’s final was the third career meeting between Zheng and Vekić, with the head-to-head evenly split at one win apiece. Vekić had previously triumphed in straight sets at the 2021 Courmayeur tournament, but it was Zheng who had the last word in their 2022 encounter in Zhuhai, a hard-fought three-setter. This time, Zheng’s aggressive baseline play and sharp serve prevented Vekić from finding the rhythm that had carried her through earlier rounds.
Zheng’s Olympic victory is a crowning achievement in a rapidly ascending career. Since turning professional in 2018, she has climbed the ranks with a blend of aggressive shot-making and resilience. Earlier this year, Zheng reached the finals of the Australian Open, and her performance in Paris has solidified her status as a top contender in women’s tennis.
Off the court, Zheng’s journey to Olympic gold has been a narrative of dedication and sacrifice. Born in Shiyan, Hubei, she moved to Spain to train under renowned coach Pere Riba, refining her game far from home. Her commitment has paid dividends, evidenced not just by her Olympic success but also by her rise to a career-high World No. 7 ranking earlier this year.
