Zheng Qinwen Overcomes Racial Slurs to Advance to US Open Quarterfinals

Left: Zheng Qinwen celebrates with her fist after scoring. (Associated Press); Right: Zheng Qinwen performs well and advances to the top 8 of the US Open. (Reuters)

Zheng Qinwen, a Chinese tennis player and Paris Olympics gold medalist, faced a racial discrimination incident during her US Open women’s singles round of 16 match against Croatian player Vargas. Despite the challenges, Zheng Qinwen fought back and won 2:1, advancing to the quarterfinals.

The incident occurred when a spectator repeatedly shouted racial slurs, including “Yellow Banana,” a discriminatory phrase against people of Asian descent. Zheng Qinwen responded bravely, saying “I’ll beat you.” Although she lost the second set 4:6, she remained focused and won the final set 6:2.

Zheng Qinwen’s victory sparked heated discussions and praise from netizens, who commended her high psychological quality and verbal fightback. Many questioned why Asian-looking spectators would discriminate against Zheng Qinwen, with some calling her a true “queen” for her resilience and determination.

Zheng Qinwen reflected on the match, saying she felt incredible for finishing the match at 2:15 am for the first time in New York. Her win marked a significant milestone in her career, and her courage in the face of adversity has earned her widespread admiration.

US Open Women’s Singles Quarterfinals

Zheng Qinwen’s advancement to the quarterfinals is a testament to her skill and perseverance. As she continues to compete in the US Open, fans around the world will be watching her progress with great interest.