China No 1 Zheng Qinwen says she does want to make friends in tennis after all

Olympic champion and China’s No 1 tennis star Zheng Qinwen has backtracked on previous claims that she is not in the sport to make friends, saying there are some people “I really want to befriend”.

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In November, the world No 9 said that she preferred to keep her distance from other players on the tour, saying that she finds it hard to compete against friends.

But following Zheng’s 6-4, 7-5 win over Lulu Sun in the round of 32 of the Indian Wells Open on Monday, she told Chinese media that she was warming up to the idea of getting close to her colleagues.

“Actually, there are two people in the tennis community whom I really want to befriend. But I haven’t taken that step yet. I’ll talk about it once I do,” the 22-year-old said.

Zheng has been in several high-profile rows on the court, leading some people to think the Olympic women’s singles champion is a frosty character.

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After beating American tennis player Emma Navarro in the round of 16 of the Paris Olympics, the pair shared heated words as they approached the net to shake hands.

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