Zheng Qinwen Shares a Hug with Olympic Champion Zhang Yufei at China Open
Zheng Qinwen, the rising star of Chinese tennis, shared a heartwarming moment with Olympic swimming champion Zhang Yufei at the China Open on Friday. Zhang, who conducted the ceremonial coin toss before Zheng’s quarterfinal match, received a rare hug from the usually reserved Zheng.
Zheng, who made history this summer as the first Chinese tennis player to win a singles gold medal, has been a fan favorite in her return to Beijing. However, she admitted that she is not typically a hugger.
“I don’t usually give people hugs,” Zheng said after the match. “On the tour, I don’t usually give people hugs. I see my hugs as very precious. So I treat Yufei as a true friend.”
Zhang, who won six medals in Tokyo, including two golds, became a viral sensation for her struggles to find a place to put all her medals. Zheng said she and Zhang share a lot in common, including their positive energy.
“We have a lot of things in common,” Zheng said. “We share positive energy together. I really appreciate this friend. Very happy she was here today to do the coin toss.”
In her first WTA 1000 semifinal, Zheng will face Karolina Muchova, who upset top seed Aryna Sabalenka. Zheng is seeking to make more history for her country by becoming the first Chinese woman to reach the singles final at the China Open since the tournament began in 2004.