Zheng Qinwen responds to negative comments: I have a fairly upright worldview, and others pick faults because of some confident statements I made.

Today, China’s leading female tennis player Zheng Qinwen graced the VOGUE cover for the second time, and during an exclusive interview afterward, she responded for the first time to some negative public opinions surrounding her.

Zheng openly shared that she rarely reads external comments about herself since it might impact her performance on the court. However, she believes that many people “pick faults” because of her confident remarks about tennis, which she does not find surprising.

In professional tennis, Zheng Qinwen is known for her straightforward personality and confident attitude. She has openly stated, “I’m here to play tennis, not to make friends. I’m here to compete and win matches.” Moreover, after coming back to beat an opponent, she once said she only gave about 30% of her effort. She has also shown great confidence against her toughest rivals—Swiatek and Sabalenka—often claiming that her level is not much different from theirs. This blunt style frequently attracts negative public criticism.

However, Zheng has a clear understanding of this and sees these as minor issues. “I think because I know what kind of person I am, my values are quite upright. The reason people pick faults might be due to my tennis or some confident statements I make in the media. But I see these as harmless small matters. As long as the path is right, all other small issues are okay!”

Regarding her confidence in tennis, Zheng explained clearly: “In tennis, I need to maintain confidence because only confidence can help me defeat my opponents.” She emphasized that this confidence is not arrogance but built on daily hard work and a strong pursuit of victory.

She also mentioned that once off the court, she remains humble. She admitted, “Off the court, I’m afraid of saying the wrong thing. After a few slip-ups, I’ve learned my lesson and now prepare mentally before facing the camera.”

This balance of humility off the court and confidence on it forms Zheng Qinwen’s unique charm. She can pursue excellence while maintaining respect for the world around her.

Zheng said, “When I’m not playing, I try to keep a humble attitude because I realize there are so many things in this world I don’t understand.” This self-awareness helps her stay balanced amid both applause and controversy.

Public reactions to Zheng Qinwen’s straightforward style vary. Some netizens think her remarks are overly confident, while many supporters appreciate her authenticity.

Media commentators noted that Zheng’s “direct” approach carries no malice and shows the utmost respect for her competitors. Most netizens support her choice: “Rejecting mental exhaustion, Zheng Qinwen speaks truths that many want to say but dare not.”

One netizen accurately summarized: “Zheng Qinwen is just ‘focused’ on her opponents and is actually very friendly to everyone else.”

In the interview, Zheng also shared how her mindset has changed after recovery: “It’s about energy, anticipation, and waiting—waiting for the day I’m fully healed.”

She admitted, “Maybe because there’s no competition pressure now, I feel more lively.”

During competitions, Zheng experiences various emotional pressures: “When I have matches and training, if training doesn’t go well, I feel sad, upset, regretful, and disappointed. Since we have many matches throughout the year, these emotions keep coming back.”

Regarding her current state after recovery, she said, “Lately, I’ve been talking more.” This reveals a more relaxed and genuine side of Zheng Qinwen.

Despite facing controversy, Zheng remains committed to her path. She stressed that as long as the path is right, she shouldn’t care too much about others’ opinions. This determination comes from her understanding of tennis—that confidence is not optional but essential in competitive sports.

When asked how she deals with outside comments, Zheng said she “doesn’t check comments during matches” because a single remark could make her hesitate and affect her decisions.

The 23-year-old Olympic champion continues on her journey, knowing her real opponents are on the court, not in the social media comment sections. Her focus is always forward—on the next serve, the next match, the next challenge.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)