Zheng Qinwen is backtracking on her previous comments about friendships on the Tour as the world No. 8 reveals that there are two undisclosed players she is willing to become friends with.
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Last year, the Chinese tennis star made the headlines for her outstanding season but also after some of her colleagues spoke about her in a harsh way. After one match, Emma Navarro described the 2024 Australian Open finalist as "a cut-throat," while Donna Vekic said after the 2024 Paris Olympics final that there were "controversial stories in the locker room" about the 22-year-old.
When asked about the perception that she was not seen as friendly, Zheng pretty much said that she on the Tour to compete and not to make friends. But now, she reveals there are actually some players with which she would be willing to have a relationship off the court.
"Actually, there are two people in the tennis community whom I really want to befriend. But I havent taken that step yet. Ill talk about it once I do," the 2024 Paris Olympics gold medalist said, via Beijing-based Titan Sports.
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Zheng explained in late 2024 why she didn't want to have friends on the Tour
During last year's WTA Finals in Riyadh, the 22-year-old described herself as "a sensitive girl" and said it would be tough for her to hang out with someone and then compete against them on the court. So because of that, she preferred not to have colleagues as friends.
"Deep down, if its a friend, I want her to win and succeed in life. Its the opposite of what I think in a tennis tournament. Once I understood that, I decided not to try to make friends on the tour. There are so many people outside the WTA, why should I make friends here? I come here to compete with them, to win the match. Thats my opinion," Zheng said at the time.
