Contrasting Fortunes for Chinese Tennis Players at French Open

For one Chinese tennis player the unfamiliar surrounds of a place in the last 32 of a grand slam, for another a continuing fall down the rankings and the potential loss of millions in sponsorship revenue. There were contrasting fortunes for qualifier Wang Xiyu, No 148 in the world, and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen at the French Open this week, although in truth only history makes the latter’s travails a surprise. Wang’s superb run as the only Chinese woman left in the women’s singles continued at Roland Garros on Friday with a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Yuliia Starodubtseva of Ukraine. While Wang exceeded her previous career-best grand slam effort at the 2022 US Open, compatriot Zheng, a quarter-finalist in Paris last year, slipped further down the world rankings, facing accusations that commercial interests hampered her recovery from elbow surgery last year. “This is definitely a heavy loss. Maybe it can give me a different perspective and help me come back stronger next time,” Zheng said.