"I never felt so hungry like this" - Paris Olympics champ Zheng Qinwen 'super proud' of herself after historic gold win

Zheng Qinwen revealed her 'hunger' to clinch gold for China during her women's singles final against Donna Vekic helped her come out on top at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She expressed pride in her achievement and also mentioned how she felt that she surpassed her limits during the campaign.

Qinwen, who is currently enjoying the best season of her career, took her fine form into the Olympics. The 21-year-old began her campaign with an impressive 6-0, 6-0 win against Sara Errani, and followed it up with another routine win against veteran Arantxa Rus.

She then ousted Emma Navarro and Angelique Kerber in back-to-back three-setters to set up a semifinal against top seed Iga Swiatek. The Chinese tennis star stunned the Pole in straight sets to guarantee a medal for her country.

Qinwen defeated Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 in an hour and 45 minutes to become the first Chinese tennis player to clinch gold in the singles event at the Olympics. In her interview, World No. 7 explained how she felt nervous during the match and had an insatiable hunger to win.

“The last point I was really nervous. My hand was shaking actually. Every match when I go to the bathroom, my body is shaking. I never felt so hungry like this to win a match. I could give everything I can, but I know tennis doesn’t work like this. It’s not like you give everything and get the results all the time."

Zheng Qinwen also expressed her pride in the result, stating how she surpassed her limits and added that no matter what the future holds, she will always have this win.

"I feel super proud of myself that this time I beat the pressure. I beat my own limit. I didn’t know before I was able to go through 5 matches in a row. Especially 7 hours in 2 days. I feel here in this tournament, I broke through my limits. In the future it doesn’t matter how far down I am, I’ll remember this moment and it will cheer me up."

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"If I don't hate being second, how will I ever be first" - Zheng Qinwen in a Nike commercial that was released ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics

Zheng Qinwen (Image source: GETTY)

Ahead of her campaign at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nike released a commercial with Zheng Qinwen where she was seen practicing on a clay court. She could also be heard asking if she should act happy even if she is sad, and if she doesn't hate coming second, how will she ever come first? The commercial ends with the words, 'Winning isn't for everyone.'

“Should I look happy when I’m not? Should I smile when I lose? If I don’t hate being second, how will I ever be first?”

Zheng Qinwen reached the final of the Australian Open this year and broke into the top 10 for the first time in her career. She also won the Palermo Ladies Open before her triumph at the Paris Olympics.