Paris 2024 tennis: Zheng Qinwen of the People’s Republic of China wins gold medal in women’s singles
Zheng Qinwen of the People’s Republic of China defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets to capture the women’s tennis singles gold medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, 6-2, 6-3.
On Friday 2 August, Iga Swiatek of Poland beat Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova to claim the bronze medal in two sets, 6-2, 6-1.
In her first Olympics, the 21 year old became the first Chinese player to win a gold medal in singles. In the semi-final, she defeated world No. 1 Swiatek.
Appearing in her second Games, Vekic was coming off a strong run to the semi-finals at Wimbledon but was unable to match the sharpness of Qinwen on Saturday.
Qinwen won the first set comfortably before taking a 2-0 lead in the second. Vekic responded, tying the set at two games a piece before Qinwen seperated once again with a 5-3 lead. Reaching match and medal point, Qinwen crushed a forehand past a lunging Vekic to capture the title.
Qinwen beat Swiatek in the semi-final, a player she had been unable to defeat in her career prior to Paris 2024.
"[Beating Swiatek] means a lot for me because I lost against her six times," Qinwen said. "But now I beat her in the Olympic Games, one of the most important tournaments for me."
The 21 year old, who grew up idolizing Na Li, hopes her victory can be an inspriation to young girls and grow the sport of tennis. Li particpated in two Olympics during her career and remains the only Chinese player to win a Grand Slam singles title, clinching both the 2011 French Open and 2014 Australian Open.
"Since I was a child, Li Na was an inspiration to me," Zheng said. "I always wanted to become one that can inspire young kids to love more tennis. Because tennis to me is a great sport, especially for girls. You have to fight, you need to have strength, you have to be fast. There is not only one specific strength, it is a very complicated sport."
Zheng got off to a great start, managed two break to wrap up the first set 6-2.
Vekic tried to battle back in the second - to no avail. She was visibly frustrated at times as she could not capitalise on opportunities later in the match.
In the end, the 28-year-old captured silver in her second Games and became the first Croatian ever to reach the final of the women's singles event at the Olympics.
"I'm extremely proud and happy to have won a medal for Croatia. It's been my lifelong dream," Vekic said. "Yesterday was one of the happiest days of my life. Of course, now I'm a little bit disappointed because I wanted gold, but [I am] still so happy and so proud."
Despite the disappointment of losing to Qinwen in the semi-finals on Friday, Swiatek was pleased with her rescilence as she salvaged a bronze medal.
"I have never felt anything like that, even in the Grand Slams, so, it wasn’t easy and having a medal is a dream come true," said Swiatek. "I am mostly proud of myself that after yesterday I could come out today and just enjoy playing tennis, because yesterday was one of the toughest losses I probably remember in my career.”
Tennis: Women’s singles podium
Gold: Zheng Qinwen, People’s Republic of China
Silver: Donna Vekic, Croatia
Bronze: Iga Swiatek, Poland