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Paul McNamara

Novak Djokovic said Zheng Qinwen’s extraordinary run to the women’s 2024 Olympic final was “a huge deal for China and for our sport”.
Zheng shocked world No 1 Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals to book a gold medal clash with Donna Vekic of Croatia on Saturday.
The 21-year-old is the first Asian-born player to reach an Olympic tennis final. At this year’s Australian Open, Zheng became only the second Chinese, after two-times major winner Li Na, to feature in a grand slam final.
Djokovic, who played mixed doubles against Zheng in this season’s United Cup, booked his own Olympic final spot with a 6-4, 6-2, victory over Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti on Friday.
He told the Post that Zheng making the Olympic final was “a huge deal for China, but also for our sport”.


“China is such a huge country, a huge market … and they’ve been waiting for a big champion, a big name, since Li Na.
“I’m really glad Qinwen reached the final. She’s going to play against my other favourite female player, Donna Vekic. I don’t know who to cheer for, to be honest, I’m really happy for both of them.
“It’s wonderful they’ve been having such a great Olympic tournament.”
Djokovic’s Serbia beat China 2-1 when the teams met in the United Cup on New Year’s Eve. In the mixed doubles, he partnered Olga Danilovic to a champions tiebreak victory over Zheng and Zhang Zhizhen, who claimed Olympic mixed doubles silver with Wang Xinyu on Friday.
“Qinwen is a terrific person, I really, really like her a lot,” Djokovic said. “I think we have a nice relationship, we always have a little chat when we see each other. We had a couple of fun moments in Australia when we played the United Cup as well.”
The value of Olympic tennis was underlined when Djokovic acknowledged he was “very nervous, with a lot of emotions” during his semi-final with Musetti.
The record 24-times men’s grand slam champion, Djokovic has only one bronze medal to show for four previous Olympic singles campaigns. He dropped to his back in celebration after converting his third match point to set up the latest chapter of a burgeoning rivalry with young Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.

“It was big pressure playing against a player who is in great form and playing on his favourite surface,” said Djokovic, who also overcame world No 16 Musetti in last month’s Wimbledon semi-finals.
“I knew I needed to be at my best. It was a huge relief to win because I have never got to an Olympic final. I have played in three semi-finals [2008, 2012 and 2021] but failed to overcome that hurdle.
“To secure a higher medal for my country for the first time, whatever happens on Sunday, [gives me a feeling of] huge pride, honour and happiness. That’s why I celebrated the way I did … it’s a big success.”
The last time Djokovic was in Paris, two months ago, he was forced to withdraw from the French Open because of a torn medial meniscus in his right knee.
The 37-year-old recovered from surgery in time for Wimbledon but was below his best when well beaten by Alcaraz in the final. It was the second successive Wimbledon final triumph for Alcaraz against Djokovic, but the older man won the pair’s 2023 French Open semi-final.
“I don’t consider myself a favourite for Sunday, because Carlos has proven he’s the best player in the world at the moment,” Djokovic said.
“He won Roland Garros and he beat me quite comfortably in the final at Wimbledon. The way he’s playing, he’s definitely the favourite.
“But it’s the Olympics, it’s anybody’s game. The only time we played here was in last year’s semi-final. I feel I’m a different player from Wimbledon, the way I’m moving and striking the ball.
“That is not to take anything away from his win in the final. He dominated and was a deserved winner. But I feel more confident about myself and my chances in France.”


Olympic champ Zheng, Hong Kong’s Haughey on strength, sacrifice and a winning mentality

Two months on, a Summer Olympics high turns into winter blues for Paris

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Forest’s Wood on fire, Russell fastest in Mexico, 7 arrested over Olympics ceremony abuse

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Paris Olympics: Novak Djokovic hails Zheng Qinwen run, ‘huge for China and for our sport’

Zheng Qinwen is the first Asian-born player to reach an Olympic singles final. Photo: Xinhua

Djokovic was ‘relieved and emotional’ after overcoming Lorenzo Musetti to reach the Olympic final. Photo: EPA-EFE

Who is China’s tennis star Zheng Qinwen? ‘Queen Wen’ a match away from Paris Olympic glory

China’s Zheng Qinwen has taken the women’s singles tennis event by storm at the Paris Olympics and is one win away from a gold medal. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen stunned the tennis world when she overcame Iga Swiatek in Paris. Photo: Xinhua

Li Na’s 2011 triumph at Roland Garros acted as inspiration for Zheng Qinwen’s tennis career. Photo: EPA

Paris Olympics: Zheng Qinwen shocks Iga Swiatek to seal China’s first tennis singles medal

Zheng Qinwen celebrates her semi-final victory over Iga Swiatek. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen lies on the court celebrating her win. Photo: Xinhua

Zheng Qinwen’s win sent her into Saturday’s final. Photo: Xinhua

Paris Olympics: Zheng Qinwen’s tennis heroics spark praise on Chinese social media

Zheng Qinwen has already matched China’s greatest-ever result in the women’s tennis singles at the Olympics. Photo: AP

Paris Olympics: day of medals for China, as badminton, table tennis doubles beckon

Gold medallists Long Daoyi and Wang Zongyuan pose with their medals. Photo: Reuters

Zhang Qiongyue took bronze in the 50m rifle 3 positions women’s final. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Paris Olympics 2024

China

Men’s greatest of all time toasts emergence of Chinese champion, ‘they have been waiting since Li Na’


Men’s greatest of all time toasts emergence of Chinese champion, ‘they have been waiting since Li Na’.


Zheng Qinwen

Novak Djokovic