In a heartwarming display of camaraderie and sportsmanship, tennis star Zheng Qinwen shared a touching moment with champion swimmer Zhang Yufei at the China Open. The 10-time Olympic medalist in swimming, Zhang Yufei, was present to witness Zheng’s stunning comeback victory against Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals.
As the golden girl of the China Open, Zheng Qinwen had already etched her name in the history books by becoming the first Chinese tennis player to win a gold medal in singles. Her return to Beijing was met with cheers and adoration from fans, but it was her embrace with Zhang Yufei that stole the spotlight.
During the ceremonial coin toss conducted by Zhang Yufei, Zheng Qinwen surprised everyone by embracing the champion swimmer in a rare display of affection. “After shaking her hand, I gave her a hug. I don’t usually give people hugs,” Zheng confessed after her 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.”
The bond between the two Olympic medalists was evident as Zheng expressed her gratitude for Zhang Yufei’s presence at the China Open. “We have a lot of things in common,” Zheng shared. “We share positive energy together. I really appreciate this friend. Very happy she was here today to do the coin toss.”
While Zhang Yufei may not have stood atop the podium in Paris, her incredible performance at the Olympics earned her six medals, making her a viral sensation for struggling to find a place to keep them all. Despite her swimming success, Zhang Yufei’s support for Zheng Qinwen at the China Open was a testament to their friendship and shared experiences as athletes.
In her first WTA 1000 semifinal, Zheng Qinwen will face the formidable Karolina Muchova, who recently ended the 15-match winning streak of US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka. The stage is set for a thrilling showdown on the court as Zheng looks to continue her impressive run at her home tournament.