Zheng Qinwen gets real about why she will not hug her opponents post-match

WTA star Zheng Qinwen recently opened up about her take on the traditional handshake post-matches. The 2024 gold medalist remained firm on her stance of not making any friends on Tour but just to be focused on winning titles.

At the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Qinwen was seen sharing a cold handshake with the winner Coco Gauff. After facing a staggering defeat against the 2023 US Open champion, the 22-year-old clarified her disappointment with the bold gesture post-defeat.

In a press conference after her opening victory over Anca Todoni at the 2025 Australian Open, the WTA star unveiled her opinion on sharing handshakes and hugs after showdowns.

"Well, I always give a handshake to my opponent because I feel that basic respect doesn't matter if I win or lose I always give a handshake but not always. I always give a handshake with a smiley face I know myself," she said.

While Qinwen expressed her agreement with the idea of shaking hands with opponents post-matches, her opinion regarding sharing hugs turned out to be completely opposite.

"Usually I don't often give a hug to my opponent as well because I feel that is not necessary for me because I come here just to play a match and If I lose, I will give you just basic respect and that's it. That's why you will not see me um lose one match and with a happy face to the opponent. If you saw that on me that is very strange which means I don't care about that match in that day," she added.

The WTA Finals in Riyadh turned out to be a controversial event for Qinwen. Besides the apparent feuds against Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff, the gold medalist also made her choices clear about having friends on tour.

"My answer is very clear: I prefer always to keep my distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me," she said.

According to her, being friends and still competing against players is not something that she thinks could fit in her books.

When Zheng Qinwen unveiled never going for "more" with players post matches

TENNIS: JAN 12 Australian Open - Source: Getty

Zheng Qinwen has always been vocal about keeping her limits with players while competing against them. Although she ended up as a runner-up at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, satisfaction didn't really appear to have found a place within her.

Qinwen mentioned keeping her distance from players along with having limited words to say while meeting and greeting them.

"We are just saying hello. Sometimes say congrats to your great season. No more talk with no more people. I never go for more. I don’t try to go for more, as well, yeah," she said, via Tennis Gazette.

Zheng Qinwen currently awaits her second-round rival at the 2025 Australian Open. With chances of being in a clash against the likes of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, or Coco Gauff, fans can expect more heated moments this time around.