Qinwen Zheng was not always nailed on to be a tennis pro. She dabbled in numerous sports early on, including table tennis, basketball, and badminton, before making the switch to tennis, inspired by the success of the iconic Roger Federer, arguably the greatest of all time.
Since making it in tennis, Zheng, who earned the title of WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2022, received the nickname “Fire” while at IMG Academy because of her intense drive and passion for the sport. Fast forward a couple of years, and Zheng made history by winning the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Remarkably, she became the first Asian tennis player, male or female, to ever win an Olympic gold in singles.
Earlier, another milestone saw her reach a career-high WTA ranking of No. 7 on January 29, 2024, making her the second Chinese player to break into the top 10, following in the footsteps of her hero Li Na, the most successful Asian tennis player in history.
Tennis Pro Qinwen Zheng Is Focused on Growth, Not a Romantic Partner
Qinwen Zheng, one of the standout performers in the 2024 US Open, does not appear to be dating anyone, at least publicly. There’s no hint of a boyfriend or any romantic partner in any of her social feeds. Her Instagram is mostly filled with her professional endeavors with occasional pictures from her travels to beautiful locations. Outside tennis, she enjoys nature, singing, dancing, reading, and fashion. She is also working on her Spanish to better communicate with her team.
Zheng is all about personal growth. She believes that being a good person off the court helps her play better on it. She’s always focused on improving herself, both in her tennis game and in life. So, we can assume where her priority lies for the time being.
Off the court, Qinwen is already an influential personality becoming the cover star for the August 2024 issue of Harper’s Bazaar China. Her growth outside tennis has been quite rapid as she recently celebrated her new partnership with Lancôme, a major cosmetics brand. Back in June, she shared her excitement about her first fashion show experience with Balenciaga. Her fans and followers were quick to shower her with praises, with one calling her a potential global superstar in both tennis and fashion if she wins a Grand Slam.
Clearly, romance does not appear to be on her cards right now. Qinwen Zheng, who proudly represents China in tennis, seems fully invested in her career. She is a lovely character, too, often engaging with fans in Mandarin, celebrating Chinese traditions, and appreciating the support from her fellow Chinese fans.
Interestingly, some of the online queries revolve around her supposed husband, but there’s no evidence the 21-year-old is married, yet.
Qinwen Zheng: How Her Parents’ Sacrifices and Her Father’s Dedication Shaped a Tennis Star
Qinwen Zheng, also known as Ana or “Queenwen,” carries a deep bond with her family, who have been instrumental in her success. Her mother left her job at a young age to focus on Zheng’s needs, while her father, Zheng Jianping, ensured she received all the training she required to achieve her dreams. Her dad, a former track-and-field athlete, made her work tirelessly, even on holidays. Needless to say, she would not be where she is today without those sacrifices and the discipline they instilled in her.
Zheng was born on 8 October 2002 in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, China, but she spent significant time in Chengdu, where her mother is originally from. She stayed at her grandmother’s house in Chengdu before she was old enough for kindergarten. Even though Chengdu didn’t make a huge impact on her when she was young, she still has some great memories and a special connection to the city because of her family.
Qinwen began playing tennis at the young age of seven. A couple of months later, she left her family back in Shiyan and moved to Wuhan 250 miles away, encouraged by her father to kickstart her serious training. This meant leaving her family behind, which couldn’t have been a bigger sacrifice for an 8-year-old Zheng. It was equally challenging for her mother who cried when she left home.
A few years down the road, an 11-year-old Qinwen Zheng shifted to Beijing to train with Carlos Rodriguez, who used to coach her idol Li Na, China’s first Grand Slam champ. She dreamed of being like Li Na, following in her footsteps in her tennis career, and ultimately wished to surpass her achievements. In 2019, she relocated her residence to Barcelona with her mom, and two years later in 2021 started working with coach Pere Riba, who has been crucial for her development, prioritizing both physical training and character growth.
Besides her family and pioneers like Li Na, her inspiration comes from Liu Xiang, who got China’s first Olympic gold in track and field. Their achievements fuel her own motivation to bring success to her nation. Starting tennis in elementary school, her early commitment as a child, and her parents’ constant support have been absolutely key for her to become one of the biggest young tennis talents in the world today.
After Zheng won Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, her father stressed that the next big goal is to win a Grand Slam. To be fair, it looks like a matter of time before this sensational athlete turns this into reality as well.
