"This is why players are cold and bitter towards her" - Fans amused as Zheng Qinwen's addresses her "busy" off-season in contrast to her peers

Tennis fans were amused by Zheng Qinwen's remarks about her hectic off-season compared to her fellow players. She is currently competing at the 2024 WTA Finals, her first time playing at the season-ending tournament.

Zheng was drawn in the Purple Group and she began her campaign at the WTA Finals with a 3-6, 4-6 loss to Aryna Sabalenka in the first group stage match.

However, she bounced back with victories over Elena Rybakina (7–6(4), 3–6, 6–1) and Jasmine Paolini (6–1, 6–1) in the subsequent group stage matches and secured her spot in the semifinals where she will face Barbora Krejcikova.

Tennis journalist Bendou Zhang recently stated that Zheng Qinwen was occupied with commercial commitments while her peers were vacationing in exotic locations.

"In the off-season, other players go to Maldives or Hawaii, but I'll have too many commercials to shot and no vacation," Zheng said.

The revelation of Zheng's packed schedule during the off-season sparked amusement among tennis fans, who took to social media to express their thoughts

One fan speculated that the reason other players on the WTA tour seemed distant towards Zheng Qinwen was due to her success both on and off the court.

"And this is why some of the other players are cold & bitter towards her, she's successful on court, successful off court (to levels they could never imagine) & does not care to play BFFs with the other players if they have to be competitors the same day," a fan posted.

Others suggested that her busy schedule with off-court sponsorships and commercial ventures kept her from forming close relationships with her peers

"That's what I been telling everybody her millions keeping her busy not time or need for superficial friendships," a fan wrote.

"And people wonder why her contemporaries are jealous of/threatened by her," a fan posted.

"It’s giving “the other girls do this but I’m soooo much better than them look,”" a fan wrote.

Many fans mentioned that she was much richer than the other players on the tour as she kept herself "busy" with off-court sponsorships.

"Booked and busy mhm 💋 ," a fan posted.

"She called the rest of the wta unemployed 💅 💅 💅 ," a fan wrote.

"Busy, tired but RICH. 🤑 ," a fan posted.

Zheng Qinwen on making friends on the WTA tour: "I prefer always keep distance with the player"

Zheng Qinwen speaking at a press conference [Source: Getty]

While speaking in a press conference at the 2024 WTA Finals, Zheng Qinwen revealed that she prefers to maintain a certain level of distance from her fellow players on the tour.

She expressed that forming close relationships with them could potentially hinder her ability to compete against them effectively and may also cause her to lose focus.

"My answer is very clear: I prefer always keep distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me. I am sensitive with the heart. I don't feel if I become friend with someone and I have to compete with them on court, I feel I'm not able 100% focus and fighting. I come here to compete with them, to win the match," Zheng said .

Looking ahead, Zheng will go up against Barbora Krejcikova in the semifinals of the season-ending tournament. The two players have met only once on the WTA tour, during the final of the 2023 Zhengzhou Open, where the Chinese emerged victorious with a score of 2–6, 6–2, 6–4.

The winner of the semifinal match between Zheng Qinwen and Barbora Krejcikova will face either Aryna Sabalenka or Coco Gauff in the final of the 2024 WTA Finals.