Olympic success can inspire next generation of players, says Zheng

Chinese No. 1 Qinwen Zheng is hoping the success of her country’s players in the women’s singles tennis event at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games will help to grow the sport in her home country.

Zheng, who booked her place in the third round with a 6-2 6-4 victory over Netherlands’ Arantxa Rus on Monday morning, is not the only Chinese player doing well at this year’s Olympic Tennis Event.

Wang Xiyu has also secured her place in the third round, where she will meet world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. And with Yuan Yue still to play against Maria Sakkari, China have hopes of three players into round three.

“I believe competition always makes you become better,” said Zheng. “When you are only the only person in your country actually you don't get motivation. You say, ‘Okay, I'm already the best in my country, let's just chill a bit.’

“No. Right now in China it’s not like this. You know, we got lots of great players. Our girls we start to play better and better.

“I think it's really positive for China. Tennis is a lovely sport, it’s not just strength, power, speed, no, it’s everything in combination. You need to play smart. You need to have endurance, you need to have power. You need to have everything to play tennis. So, I think all of us we can inspire the young people and we can make tennis become another level in China.”

Zheng also believes that doing well at the Olympics, in particular, will resonate on Chinese soil.

“In China we consider Olympic Games is the most important for the country,” she added. “And since I was a little kid, I would like to fight for my country. I would like to get one of the reward for my country. I don't know when that comes. But I'm just trying.”