Was Emma Navarro Proven Right? Qinwen Zheng’s ‘Cold’ Handshake With Aryna Sabalenka Reignites Olympics Controversy

Rishika Singh | 04/09/2024
Was Emma Navarro Proven Right? Qinwen Zheng's 'Cold' Handshake With Aryna Sabalenka Reignites Olympics Controversy

Qinwen Zheng didn’t exactly handle her defeat against Aryna Sabalenka gracefully, and her reaction at the net made that pretty clear. Instead of acknowledging her opponent’s win, Zheng barely gave Sabalenka the time of day. It left many wondering in the tennis community whether Emma Navarro’s earlier comments about Zheng’s attitude were spot on.

The moment was posted on X by a tennis influencer and fans did not hold back.


When Navarro called out Zheng during the Olympics for lacking respect on the court, it stirred up some controversy. But after watching Zheng’s behavior post-match, Navarro’s words are starting to resonate with more people. The tension between these two has been brewing for a while, and now it’s all coming to a head.

In a recent press conference, Navarro was asked about what she said to Zheng after their match in Paris. She didn’t hold back, explaining that she felt disrespected by Zheng not just during that match, but in their previous encounters too.

“I felt just a little bit disrespected by her. You know, I don’t want to, like I said, go too into detail with it.

“But yeah, I think she didn’t necessarily treat me or the sport with respect. That’s why I said what I said after the match. But, yeah, that’s it.”

Navarro made it clear that her comments were not just a spur-of-the-moment reaction but something she had been feeling for a while. She hasn’t spoken to Zheng since and she stands by what she said.

In a post made by The Tennis Letter on X, you can see exactly what she said when asked about what went down behind their interaction at the Olympics.


This whole saga hasn’t painted Zheng in the best light. While some might still see Navarro as being a bit harsh, she’s quickly becoming a favorite among Americans. As she is gearing up to face Sabalenka in the semifinals, we can expect a gripping game of tennis. All eyes will be on Navarro to see if she can back up her words with another big win.

Post Edited By: Dhruv Rupani
Aryna Sabalenka Emma Navarro Qinwen Zheng US Open 2024

About the author

Rishika Singh

Meet Rishika, the Tennis Writer at The SportsRush who spins words as deftly as Federer spins his backhand. Her tennis obsession began at 12, inspired by her dad’s adoration for Roger Federer (the only correct choice, obviously). An athlete herself, Rishika covers sports in an entertaining yet insightful manner, aiming to draw more fans into the game. When not watching or writing about tennis, Rishika loves baking and cooking, dreaming of one day launching her own food truck. Imagine each bite as delightful as a match point. Rishika’s unique blend of sports passion and culinary dreams makes her a standout voice in sports journalism. She serves up stories with humour and wit, ensuring her readers enjoy every moment of the game.

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