Zheng Qinwen has reached her first Grand Slam final. In fact, she is the first person from China to do so in 10 years.
Zheng grew up watching the last Chinese Grand Slam winner, Li Na, and has said she has watched the 2014 Australian Open final ‘at least 10 times.’ If you have been on tennis social media, no doubt you will have come across the image of Zheng watching Li win 10 years ago, transfixed by her achievement. Tennis in China was expected to boom as a result.
This was Qinwen Zheng watching Li Na winning the 2014 Australian Open title.
Ten years later, Zheng is into the 2024 Australian Open Women’s Final, becoming the first Chinese singles finalist at a Major since Li Na, herself.
🥹👏🇨🇳 pic.twitter.com/N2PRhT0u45
— Olly 🎾🇬🇧 (@Olly_Tennis_) January 25, 2024
It has taken until now for that to start to come to fruition.
One viral video this week saw Li sneak up on Zheng mid-interview and greet her like you would your best friend — with a smack on the bum. Zheng says they had barely met before this tournament. It is not every day you get to not only meet your idol but become buddies with them, too.
Li Na surprising Qinwen after she specifically brought her up in her post-win interview today 🥹
🎥 @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/BozJdXRJvD
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