Qinwen Zheng, who beat World No. 1 Iga Swiatek on her way to the Olympic gold medal win, recalls her parents’ sacrifices.

Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng claims her father almost sold their house to realize her tennis dream

Chinese tennis star Qinwen Zheng brought glory to her nation by beating Donna Vekic in the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She became the first-ever Asian athlete to do it. Earlier, she beat World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets in the semifinals.

This Olympic medal win came before any major title for the Chinese ace. Zheng was doing great in the last few months, making it to the Australian Open final, followed by quarterfinal qualification in Dubai and Rome.

She won the title in Palermo right before she came to Paris to take part in the Summer Games. Although Zheng was playing incredibly well, she was not among the favorites to win the gold medal. With her getting pitted to face four-time French Open champion Swiatek in the semis, it seemed even more difficult.
However, against all the odds, the 21-year-old won the gold medal at the Summer Games, the first for China since tennis returned to the Olympics in 1988. This win was hard-earned for Zheng, whose family made sacrifices to support her career. For instance, Zheng’s father almost sold their house to support her in realizing her dreams.

Qinwen Zheng’s sacrifices and the result

After her Olympic gold medal win, Qinwen Zheng revealed that her father almost sold their house when she was 15 to support her in her quest to become a world-class tennis player.
Qinwen Zheng (Image via Imago)

When I was 14/15, my dad almost sold our house to fund my tennis lessons. He knew I had potential, and wants to give all he can to realise my dream.

Qinwen Zheng said in a recent interview

The 21-year-old Chinese WTA star thanked her parents for helping her stay focused on her dream and teaching her discipline. Right after her gold medal win, she talked about the impact they have had on her career.

They taught me how to be disciplined and to stay focused on my dream. Most importantly, they always believed in me and the heights I could reach. I want to thank them for that.

Qinwen Zheng said (H/T: China Daily)

Notably, Zheng also maintained a strict diet for the whole year to stay in shape and be at her peak fitness for the biggest stages. The Chinese ace did not even enjoy a cheat meal as it she thought itcould sabotage her preparations.