Chinese tennis ace Zheng Qinwen backs off from no difficulty

Zheng Qinwen, the Chinese mainland's women's tennis ace, secured her qualification for the upcoming 2024 Paris Summer Olympics by winning the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province in 2023.

Having risen quickly over the past two years, Zheng achieved her career-best showing for Grand Slam tournaments when she reached the women's singles final at this year's Australian Open in January.

Although Zheng became the second player from the Chinese mainland to reach a Grand Slam singles final, she was not satisfied with the result because she lost the title match to Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus.

"It's a pity that I failed to achieve what I wanted on a court like this," Zheng told the China Media Group. "But I have gained a lot of experience from it. Now I know better how to train to beat opponents like this in the future."

Many fans and analysts compared Zheng with China's retired two-time Grand Slam singles champion Li Na, but Zheng says she doesn't want to become the "second Li Na."

"I think everyone has their own path of growth, so it's unnecessary to call anybody 'the next whoever,'" Zheng said. "We should just be the best of ourselves because we are all unique."

Zheng struggled in the next two Grand Slam tournaments after this year's Australian Open. She was eliminated by Elina Avanesyan of Russia in the third round at the French Open and then lost to Lulu Sun of New Zealand in the first round at Wimbledon.

But the setbacks didn't take away Zheng's confidence. She will return to the clay court at Roland Garros again at the 2024 Paris Olympics and defend her honor.

"I do have expectations because I will be playing for my country instead of myself," Zheng told CMG. "I want to participate in the Paris Olympics in my best form and do my best in preparation."