The Gold Medal Bears a Mindful Message

Written by Richard Pagliaro | @Itenisi_Manje | Saturday, August 24, 2024
Photo credit: Matthew Calvin

NEW YORK-Zheng Qinwen make history inspired by the red clay of Paris.

The Olympic gold medalist aims to avoid an embarrassing history on the tough courts of New York.

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A smiling Zheng made history by sweeping Croatia's Donna Vekic 6-2, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier to become the first Chinese player to win an Olympic tennis gold medal earlier this month.

Seventh seed Zheng faces a a tough first test for the US Open against a former French Open semifinalist Amanda Anisimova in the battle of the big hitters to be held on Monday at 11 am at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

“The idea of ​​the US Open is to try to do the best I can every game,” Zheng told reporters. “I don't have many things to say, because when I see that if I focus on game by game, that's the best I can do. Yes, I can't think too far.”

Australian Open finalist Zheng showed off his low-scoring ability and competitive composure as he romped through seven of the last eight matches in a shocking upset of the Polish world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-2, 7-5 in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics.

Playing with poise and strength, Zheng made history by reaching the gold medal match in his Olympic debut. The 21-year-old Zheng overcame Swiatek's 25-match Roland Garros streak to do it.

Zheng can toppin much harder than some of his top 10 competitors and is willing to lead basic rallies. Zheng's challenge is to adjust his extended backhand for the fast hard courts of the US Open.

Zheng said his Olympic gold medal is a mental safety net: He is focused on maintaining the high level he showed in Paris next week in New York.

“There are a lot of bad things I have faced after Australia, because I say I have lost motivation, I am different in practice,” said Zheng. “And after winning the gold medals at the Olympics, the first thing I told myself is that I want to keep motivated. I don't want to let myself slip again.

“I want to improve just once on my mental side. It means how you can maintain the level when you are a champion and keep winning, winning, winning, instead of relaxing and letting yourself lose an easy game.

“If I can do that, I think I'll break through the wall I've made for myself. I'm just trying to work hard on my mental side. I still wish I could do well.”

If Zheng defeats the dangerous Anisimova in her first match, she will be in a position to face Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska, whom Zheng beat 6-4, 6-4 in the Australian Open semifinals, in a US Open third-round showdown followed by a possible fourth. -round game vs. Vekic in what could be an Olympic gold medal rematch.