Tennis

Zheng Qinwen, the Olympic champion, has been making the most of her offseason, despite the WTA Finals concluding just over a week ago. She has already secured a new sponsorship deal with Audi in China, attended the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition, and appeared at a sponsor event for Gatorade.Zheng's packed offseason schedule was hinted at after her loss to Coco Gauff in the WTA Finals, where she narrowly missed out on becoming the eighth first-time participant to win the year-end title. Despite her disappointment, Zheng expressed that she had little time to dwell on the defeat or celebrate her historic season due to her upcoming off-court commitments."In the off-season, other players go to Maldives or Hawaii," she said, "but I'll have too many commercials to shoot and no vacation."Zheng's first major appearance was as the new face of Audi in China on November 15th, which was teased a week prior on Weibo. The automaker released a trailer for its newest cars narrated by Zheng, hinting at her appearance at the annual expo. Zheng was photographed at the event with vehicles from Audi's new electric car line, designed exclusively for China.Two days later, Zheng attended a Shanghai event for Gatorade, where she has been an ambassador since the start of last season. She was featured in new product collateral, photographed in a sleek white pantsuit.Zheng's sponsorship portfolio also includes on-court apparel deals with Nike and Wilson racquets, a testimonee for Rolex watches, and regional deals with Lancôme cosmetics and McDonald's. Her net worth is growing exponentially, and is expected to continue to rise after a 2024 season in which she became the second Chinese woman to ever reach a Grand Slam singles final and the first Olympic singles tennis champion from her country.Despite her commercial success, Zheng remains focused on her tennis career. "It you want to balance the time and the team has to work well, especially I think the manager has to communicate good with the head coach, because of course commercial is important, but at the end we are tennis player to perform as well on court," she said at the US Open. "This our priority."My priority ... is always performance well [sic] in tennis, but, I mean, if the opportunity come ... I will do it, because it's part of job. But where my passion is and where I want to put all my energy is on the tennis court."

Zheng Qinwen's remarkable run to the WTA Finals final has propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 5, making her the seventh player born in the 2000s to achieve this feat. Despite falling short to Coco Gauff in the championship match, Zheng's performance has solidified her status as a rising star in the tennis world.Zheng's journey to the Top 5 has been marked by consistent excellence. She has won two WTA titles this year, including the prestigious Lyon Open, and has reached the semifinals or better in four other tournaments. Her impressive results have earned her the respect of her peers and the admiration of tennis fans worldwide.Zheng's success is particularly significant for Chinese tennis. She is only the second Chinese player to reach the Top 5 in either ATP or WTA rankings history, following in the footsteps of Li Na. Her achievements are a testament to the growing strength of Chinese tennis and inspire young players across the country.Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz has returned to the Top 5 on the ATP rankings, rising from No. 6 to No. 5. Fritz's resurgence comes after a strong season that included a victory at the Indian Wells Masters. He is now poised to challenge the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz for the top spot in men's tennis.Other notable movers in the rankings include Barbora Krejcikova, who returns to the Top 10 after reaching the semifinals of the WTA Finals. Krejcikova is a former No. 2 and has consistently performed at a high level throughout her career.Denis Shapovalov and Benjamin Bonzi have also made significant jumps in the rankings after winning ATP titles last week. Shapovalov, a former No. 10, has won the second ATP title of his career in Belgrade, while Bonzi has captured the first ATP title of his career in Metz.These rankings updates reflect the changing landscape of tennis, with new stars emerging and established players continuing to perform at a high level. Zheng Qinwen, Taylor Fritz, and the other players who have made significant moves in the rankings are poised to shape the future of the sport.

Coco Gauff's relentless determination and physical prowess propelled her to a thrilling victory in the WTA Finals championship match against Zheng Qinwen. Despite facing adversity throughout the three-hour marathon, Gauff's unwavering resolve and adherence to her strengths ultimately prevailed.Zheng, known for her aggressive style, initially dominated the match, breaking Gauff's serve in the opening set. However, Gauff's resilience shone through as she fought back in the second set, capitalizing on Zheng's uncharacteristic drop shot attempt.The pattern repeated itself in the final set, with Zheng gaining early breaks only to be met with Gauff's unwavering determination. Zheng's impatience and unforced errors proved costly, allowing Gauff to seize control of the rallies and ultimately secure the victory.Gauff's triumph marks her second major title after her 2023 US Open victory. Notably, both successes have come shortly after hiring new coaches, highlighting her ability to adapt and improve under different guidance.Despite experimenting with technical changes to her serve and forehand, Gauff's victory was ultimately a testament to her unwavering belief in her strengths. She relied heavily on her exceptional defense, powerful forehands, and relentless backhands, proving that consistency and determination can overcome even the most formidable opponents.Gauff's emotional collapse onto the court after her victory was a testament to the physical and mental toll of the grueling match. However, her joy and disbelief were palpable, as she had defied the odds and emerged victorious against a formidable opponent.

The WTA Finals, the season-ending championship for the top eight women's tennis players, has taken an unexpected turn with the absence of world No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Instead, the stage is set for a clash between two rising stars: Coco Gauff and Zheng Qinwen.Gauff, 20, and Zheng, 22, have both demonstrated their potential to dominate the sport. Gauff, known for her exceptional defense and counterpunching abilities, has already won the US Open and reached the final of the French Open. Zheng, on the other hand, has showcased her powerful groundstrokes and newfound composure, winning an Olympic gold medal and reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open.Zheng's journey to the final has been marked by her aggressive style and newfound mental resilience. She has relied on her heavy topspin and powerful serve, which has produced 35 aces in four matches. Her ability to maintain focus and avoid second-set collapses has been crucial, as evidenced by her comeback victory over Barbora Krejcikova in the semifinals.Gauff, meanwhile, has relied on her defensive prowess and the confidence she has gained from her recent successes. Despite some inconsistencies in her serve and forehand, she has managed to overcome top players like Swiatek and Sabalenka. Her ability to absorb pace and counterattack has been a key factor in her victories.The final between Gauff and Zheng promises to be a captivating clash of styles. Zheng's aggressive approach will test Gauff's defensive abilities, while Gauff's counterpunching and passing shots will challenge Zheng's consistency. The surface switch from hard court to clay may slightly favor Zheng's attacking game, but Gauff's adaptability and recent form make her the slight favorite.While Zheng has the potential to upset Gauff with her powerful serve and groundstrokes, Gauff's defensive prowess and recent momentum suggest that she will emerge victorious. The American has shown a remarkable ability to stay composed under pressure and grind out victories, even against the most formidable opponents.

Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen has stormed into the WTA Finals final in Riyadh, defeating Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova in a thrilling 6-3, 7-5 encounter. The victory keeps Zheng's hopes alive of becoming the second woman in history to win both the Olympic gold medal and the year-end crown in the same year.Zheng, making her debut at the WTA Finals, displayed remarkable composure to overcome a spirited comeback attempt from Krejcikova. After dominating the early stages of the match, Zheng saw her lead evaporate as Krejcikova rallied to win four consecutive games. However, the Chinese star refused to be denied, holding her nerve to win the final three games of the first set.In the second set, Zheng continued to showcase her impressive all-court game, mixing powerful groundstrokes with deft touch. Krejcikova fought valiantly, but Zheng's determination proved too strong. The 22-year-old broke Krejcikova's serve at a crucial moment, securing the victory and a place in the final.Zheng's victory marks a significant milestone in her career. She is the youngest woman to reach the WTA Finals final in her first appearance since Petra Kvitova in 2011. She is also the 15th first-time WTA Finals competitor to reach the final, and the first since Anett Kontaveit in 2021.In the final, Zheng will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff. She will need to overcome a winless record against both players to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2012 to win the Olympic gold medal and WTA Finals in the same year.Zheng's success is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has emerged as one of the most promising young players in the world, and her performance at the WTA Finals has further solidified her status as a rising star.

Barbora Krejcikova has secured her place in the semifinals of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, after defeating Coco Gauff in a thrilling encounter. The Czech star, who qualified for the tournament as the lowest-ranked player, has now won two of her three round-robin matches and will face Zheng Qinwen in the last four.Krejcikova's victory over Gauff was hard-fought, with both players showcasing their impressive skills. The American, who had upset world No. 1 Iga Swiatek earlier in the tournament, pushed Krejcikova to the limit but ultimately fell short in a match that lasted one hour and 42 minutes.Krejcikova, who won her second Grand Slam title at Wimbledon this year, has been in impressive form in Riyadh. She pushed Swiatek to the brink of defeat in her first match and then defeated US Open finalist Jessica Pegula in her second.Gauff, on the other hand, had been equally impressive, winning her first two matches against Pegula and Swiatek. However, she was unable to maintain her momentum against Krejcikova, who proved to be too strong on the day.In the other semifinal, top seed Aryna Sabalenka will face Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, who clinched the WTA Year-End World No. 1 ranking on Tuesday, will be looking to continue her impressive form and reach the final. Zheng, who finished second in the Purple Group, will be hoping to cause an upset and reach the final for the first time.The WTA Finals is the season-ending tournament for the top eight players in the world. The tournament is divided into two groups, with the top two players from each group advancing to the semifinals.

Zheng Qinwen's remarkable run in the second half of 2024 continues unabated as the Paris Olympics champion has stormed into the semifinals of the WTA Finals on her debut.In a decisive match at Riyadh, Zheng displayed her dominance with a resounding 6-1, 6-1 victory over Jasmine Paolini. This triumph marked her 30th win from 34 matches since Wimbledon, solidifying her status as one of the most formidable players on the circuit.Zheng's victory secured her second place in the Purple Group behind world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The Chinese star attributed her success to her exceptional serving performance, stating, "It's one of the best performances I had during this year. Really good percentage of first serves. I enjoyed a lot tonight to play here."Zheng's dominance was evident from the outset as she broke Paolini in the third game and maintained her momentum throughout the match. Her powerful serves kept the Italian guessing, while her aggressive returns forced Paolini into numerous errors.The 22-year-old's relentless pressure paid dividends as she converted five breaks of serve during the encounter. On match point, Zheng unleashed her 12th ace to seal the victory after a mere 68 minutes.Zheng's impressive statistics reflect her dominance: she finished with 24 winners to just 14 unforced errors and won an astonishing 77 percent of her first-serve points. Her performance has drawn comparisons to Li Na, the only other Chinese woman to advance out of the round-robin stage of the year-end event, who finished as runner-up in 2013.Zheng's victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has emerged as a rising star in the tennis world and is poised to make a significant impact on the sport in the years to come.

Zheng Qinwen's impressive season continued on Monday as she secured her first victory at the 2024 WTA Finals, defeating Elena Rybakina 7-6 (4), 3-6, 6-1 in a thrilling encounter.The Chinese star, ranked seventh in the world, had lost her opening match to top seed Aryna Sabalenka but bounced back with a determined performance against Rybakina, the fifth seed. The match was a tale of two halves, with Zheng dominating the first set and Rybakina taking control of the second. However, Zheng's resilience shone through in the final set as she broke Rybakina three times to seal the victory.Zheng's victory keeps her hopes of reaching the semifinals alive. Should Sabalenka defeat Jasmine Paolini later in the evening, Zheng will face Paolini in a winner-takes-all clash for the second semifinal spot.Rybakina, who had lost her opening match to Paolini, is now officially eliminated from semifinal contention. The Kazakh player had been hoping to make a strong start to her partnership with new coach Goran Ivanisevic, but she was unable to find her best form in Riyadh.Zheng's victory is a testament to her remarkable progress over the past year. The 22-year-old has reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open, won a gold medal at the Summer Olympics, and claimed three titles on the WTA Tour. Her success is a reflection of her hard work, determination, and exceptional talent.The quick indoor conditions in Riyadh suited Zheng's aggressive style of play, particularly her powerful first serve. She served at 53% through the opening set and used her serve to great effect in the tiebreaker, which she won 7-4.Rybakina fought back in the second set, breaking Zheng twice to level the match. However, Zheng regained her composure in the final set and played with renewed intensity. She broke Rybakina three times and served out the match with an ace to secure a memorable victory.Zheng's victory is a major boost for her confidence and will give her hope of reaching the semifinals. She will face Paolini in her final round-robin match, while Rybakina will play Sabalenka.

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka has kicked off her WTA Finals campaign in Riyadh with a dominant 6-3, 6-4 victory over Zheng Qinwen. The Belarusian star is aiming to secure both the year-end title and the No. 1 ranking, and her performance against Zheng was a testament to her determination.Sabalenka's serve proved to be a key factor in her victory. She won an impressive 94% of points on her first serve and committed only one double fault. This allowed her to put Zheng under constant pressure and prevent her from gaining any momentum.The first set was a tight affair, with both players holding serve until the sixth game. Sabalenka finally broke through with a double fault from Zheng, giving her a 4-2 lead. She held her serve in the next game to take the set 6-3.The second set followed a similar pattern, with neither player able to break serve until the ninth game. Sabalenka once again seized the opportunity, breaking Zheng's serve with a powerful backhand return. She then held her serve to close out the match 6-4.Sabalenka praised her serve after the match, saying, "I'm super happy with the win. I think I served really well tonight, and I put her under so much pressure."Zheng, who has been in excellent form this season, was unable to match Sabalenka's consistency. However, she showed glimpses of her potential, particularly with her aggressive groundstrokes.Sabalenka's victory puts her in a strong position to qualify for the semifinals of the WTA Finals. She will face Maria Sakkari in her next match, while Zheng will take on Caroline Garcia.