By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 20, 2024
It’s uncommon {that a} press convention or on-court interview goes by that China’s Zheng Qinwen doesn’t get requested to provide her ideas about Chinese language trailblazer Li Na.
Li is a big of the game, a legend of ladies’s tennis, and a lady that single-handedly elevated the recognition of tennis in China – and Asia.
It occurred once more on Day 7, after Zheng completed off compatriot Wang Yafan in a third-set tiebreaker to succeed in the spherical of 16 in Melbourne for the primary time. On-court interviewer Andrea Petkovic requested Zheng if she had any recollections of watching the 2014 Australian Open ladies’s remaining, received by Li over Dominika Cibulkova.
Ideas? Yeah, Zheng had a couple of.
“I used to be sitting there in entrance of the TV and watched from the start till the tip,” Zheng advised on-court interviewer Andrea Petkovic, as she displayed her trademark smile. “That remaining, I’ve watched it greater than ten instances, so I’ve loads of reminiscences.”
That’s why we have been shocked to be taught that in any case these years, Zheng nonetheless hadn’t met Li in individual – till as we speak.
That modified when Li, on the town to have fun the 10-year anniversary of her title, popped in on Zheng on the media terrace, slapped her on the butt and gave her a large hug.
Li Na stunning Qinwen after she particularly introduced her up in her post-win interview as we speak 🥹
🎥 @AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/BozJdXRJvD
— Bastien Fachan (@BastienFachan) January 20, 2024
It was an enormous second for Zheng, who advised reporters that she was fully caught off guard by the legend’s look.
“That was completely a shock for me,” Zheng stated. “She simply went to me like this, stated congratulations. I used to be feeling tremendous blissful to satisfy her and have the possibility to speak along with her as a result of I by no means talked along with her in individual. That was feeling actually particular for me.
“You understand, I really feel she’s way more stunning than what I noticed her — after I noticed her on TV earlier than.”
Recommendation from Li? Hold it Easy
Li and Zheng frolicked lengthy sufficient for the 21-year-old to get some recommendation from the Corridor of Famer. Li’s recommendation? Don’t overcomplicate issues.
Zheng, making her ninth predominant draw look at a serious, will face France’s Oceane Dodin within the spherical of 16.
“She stated to me do not suppose an excessive amount of, simply maintain easy,” the No.12 seed stated. “I feel that is proper now what I have to do as properly, yeah.”
“We do not have one another’s WeChat, no cellphone calls. At this time is the true first time we speak with one another. She advised me do not suppose an excessive amount of, simply maintain easy. I feel that is proper now what I have to do as properly.”
Zheng Qinwen is so blissful speaking with Li Na after her win. pic.twitter.com/DqWnQrqNHs
— Bendou Zhang🎾 (@BendouZhang) January 20, 2024
#Zheng #Qinwen #Met