Tennis: Zheng Qinwen in the final of the Australian Open and China begins to dream
The Chinese Zheng Qinwen will face the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka this Saturday morning in the women's singles final of the Australian Open. Such a performance has not happened on the Chinese side since Li Na ten years ago. And fans in China are starting to dream.
Zheng Qinwen faces world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka this Saturday January 27 in Melbourne. AP - Asanka Brendon Ratnayake
By: RFI Follow
Advertisement
Read more
With our correspondent in Beijing,
Stéphane Lagarde
It's a word that we don't usually say in a tennis lesson and even less so on the radio, but this “sha bi” – which can be translated as “asshole” in French –, launched by Zheng Qinwen to a spectator who harassed her in the middle of a match,
has been widely reported on Chinese social networks
in recent days. Proof of the mentality of a champion, according to Mr. Jin, a 47-year-old amateur player: “
She overcame these attacks with courage and determination. After Li Na, she is the second Chinese to reach the final of a major competition: whether she wins or loses, it's already an achievement!
»
In 2014, Li Na won her second Grand Slam title in Melbourne, after winning Roland Garros three years earlier. Can Zheng Qinwen repeat the feat, while her Belarusian rival is widely favored? On the tennis courts of Chaoyang Park in Beijing, this coach believes it: “
She is very aggressive and she is technically proficient. His lifts are impressive and his service is top notch. Not to mention his exceptional physical condition.
»
An opinion shared by all the players, including this mother who came to train with her son: “
Society has evolved and the Chinese are very independent. We have single mothers who raise their children alone. I think that women are much stronger internally than men. And this is also the case for athletes
.”
Ranked 15th player in the world and 15th highest paid sportswoman, Zheng Qinwen attracts millions of viewers to each of her matches. She should still climb the rankings if she wins in Melbourne. A result all the more notable as it comes after a long absence from high-level women's tennis. Women's competitions were suspended following the disappearance of
player Peng Shuai
three years ago.
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your inbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
Share :
Continue reading on the same themes:
China
Tennis