Despite a narrow loss to Coco Gauff in the final of the 2024 WTA Finals on Saturday, 22-year-old Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen still had a milestone year with six final appearances, including an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024.

Zheng Qinwen of China hits a return during the final match against Coco Gauff of the United States at WTA Finals tennis tournament in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nov. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Haizhou)

"I fight whatever happens on the court. If you always keep going, you will get your chance. I tried to reach the top and then remain there," Zheng said after her WTA Finals debut. "It's a great season for me."

Throughout the year, Zheng continued to amaze the world not only for her aces and strong returns, but also for her resilience and persistence in adversity. As she put it, "What made me proudest was my mental strength."

Nicknamed "Queen Wen," Zheng started the season with a runner-up finish at the Australian Open. Although her dreams were dashed by Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng gained a lot of experience in her first Grand Slam final.

"I think I can learn more from the defeat, and I just hope next time, I can come back stronger as a better tennis player," Zheng reflected.

Her phenomenal run at the Australian Open raised people's expectations of Zheng at the Paris Olympics, after her triumph at the Hangzhou Asian Games last year.

But at the French Open and Wimbledon, Zheng was shocked by unseeded Elina Avanesyan in the third round and qualifier Lulu Sun in the first round respectively, triggering concern that her breakthrough at the Australian Open was a flash in the pan.

"I never thought of giving up, and I must learn to cope with pressure. The ups and downs make victories even sweeter," Zheng noted.

Shortly after Wimbledon, Zheng recovered to retain her title at the Palermo Ladies Open after defeating Karolina Muchova in July, just ahead of the Paris Olympics.

Representing China on the Olympic stage was a top goal for Zheng, and there was little doubt she would spare no effort at Roland Garros this time.

Sixth seed Zheng showed good form from the start of the Games with great energy and determination, particularly in an arduous quarterfinal against Angelique Kerber. In a three-set marathon, Zheng rallied past the 36-year-old in more than three hours and regained her confidence.

Confronting Iga Swiatek in the semifinal, Zheng ended her six straight losses to the four-time French Open winner and registered China's best result in the Olympic tennis tournament since two-time Grand Slam winner Li Na finished fourth at Beijing 2008.

"I am so happy that I can make history for Chinese tennis. I always want to be one of the athletes who can get a medal for China, for our country, and right now I am one of them," said Zheng, who maintained her momentum in the final and defeated Donna Vekic in straight sets to clinch her historic gold.

When Li was crowned at the Australian Open ten years ago, Zheng watched that joyful moment on television. Li was a childhood idol of Zheng's, and now Zheng stepped forward to realize her own dream.

"The new generation of Chinese tennis players also possess a strong sense of patriotism. Zheng and many other young talents demonstrated a confident image at the Olympics, which will certainly inspire more youth to pursue the best in their own life," said Zou Xinxian, a professor at Beijing Sport University.

Then at the US Open, Zheng was eliminated by Sabalenka in the quarterfinals before quickly moving to concentrate on preparing for the WTA's China swing. "Playing on home soil always gives me extra motivation. I am delighted to see more Chinese people love tennis," Zheng remarked.

However, Zheng was not in peak physical condition during the China Open, resulting in her defeat to Muchova in the semifinals, and she was once again defeated by Sabalenka in the Wuhan Open final.

"It's never easy to sail into the final of a WTA1000 event, especially in my hometown of Wuhan, where my dream started," Zheng said. "I failed to seize the trophy this time, but I believe I can perform better and become more aggressive next time."

Before the WTA Finals, Zheng triumphed at the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, further strengthening her seventh place in the world rankings.

At the WTA Finals, Zheng beat Elena Rybakina, world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini and reigning Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova to make the final, following her opening defeat to Sabalenka in the group stage. Regardless of how events transpired, the Chinese sensation remained unbowed.

"My goal is just trying to play well and do more in every single match. I think I'm more explosive compared to the beginning of this season. I would say I move faster, my ball and my serves go faster, and my physical endurance has improved a lot," Zheng said. "I am better than when I was at the Australian Open."

Besides Zheng, Zhang Zhizhen and Wang Xinyu also made history for China by taking silver in the Paris Olympics tennis mixed doubles, while Buyunchaokete cruised into the China Open men's semifinals to achieve the best result for a male Chinese player at the tournament.

Bai Xilin, director of China's Tennis Administration Center, attributed the progress of Chinese tennis to the country's economic and social advancement, adherence to the principles of sporting development, and a steady accumulation of talents.

Despite a fruitful year for Chinese tennis, there is still a long journey ahead. For "Queen Wen," she has to find more solutions when facing old rivals like Sabalenka, and new chapters are yet to be written.

"I never fear climbing over mountains," Zheng said.

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