American women’s tennis players were present at Madison Keys‘ recent wedding. They are Keys’ peers against whom she competes on the WTA Tour, but they are also friends and sometimes teammates in United Cup and Billie Jean King Cup matches.
This is a striking contrast to China’s Qinwen Zheng, who publicly stated that she wants no friends on the WTA Tour. The women she sees in the locker room are her competitors, leaving no room for friendship.
Zheng let her guard down when talking with Chinese legend Li Na. Otherwise, she has a stoned face and is all business on the court.
“We don’t have each other’s WeChat, no phone calls. Today is the real first time we talk with each other. She told me don’t think too much, just keep simple. I think that’s right now what I need to do as well.”
Zheng Qinwen is so happy talking with Li Na after her win. pic.twitter.com/DqWnQrqNHs
— Bendou Zhang🎾 (@BendouZhang) January 20, 2024
Is Qinwen Zheng on to something?
Players have to do what makes them comfortable. Zheng finds it easier to separate work and recreation by ensuring the same people are not involved in both activities.
The flip side is that tennis has a long 11-month season traveling most of the world’s continents. Though players travel with support people and teams, there is still much time alone in the locker room with only peers nearby.
Emma Navarro had a public disagreement with Zheng earlier this year. Navarro felt disrespected. Is that because Zheng is somewhat of a loner? It is tough to know for sure.
Zheng is a young woman who has taken an interesting approach to competing in her sport. There is a time for competition, but there seems to be some time for fun and recreation with other players, something she does not engage in.
Look at some of the WTA Tour’s lasting friendships. Ons Jabeur, Aryna Sabalenka, and Paula Badosa are good friends. Good friends Sloane Stephens and Madison Keys were opponents at the 2017 US Open final.
Maybe Zheng will relax her stance over time. The Olympic champion and 2024 WTA Finals runner-up has borne China’s expectations on her shoulders for years which had to be difficult. That is an enormous amount of pressure. As she becomes more successful, she may change her view.
