"That's why I think I lost the game": Zheng Qinwen speaks out on tense exchange with Leylah Fernandez's father
WTA
Zheng Qinwen spoke about the distraction she felt due to Leylah Fernandez's dad's shouting during their tense fourth-round match at Wuhan Open. The gold medalist faced a tough challenge against the 2021 US Open finalist but emerged victorious, continuing her impressive form.
The Canadian started strong, taking the first set 7-5 and serving well early in the second. When the score was 1-1, play was briefly halted as the Chinese player spoke with her opponent's box. Fernandez then asked the 5th seed what she had said, and the conversation even reached the umpire.
From there, the match shifted. Zheng raised her level, broke serve, and won 11 of the next 13 games to secure a huge 5-7, 6-3, 6-0 victory. During the post-match interview, the world No. 7 addressed the exchange she had with Leylah Fernandez's father, who is also her coach.
"Actually, I was distracted in the first set by what [Fernandez's father] was saying because Leylah was on the other side. He was always talking, 'C'mon, c'mon,' before I started to return. That's why I think I lost the game when I was 30-Love because I was a little bit distracted," Zheng Qinwen said.
"After that, he continued doing it. Plus the pain I had in the stomach, the fight against the opponent. One moment, I couldn’t hold it anymore. I said to him, ‘You must talk before I start to return?’" she added. "But, I mean, after that, I actually started to feel better because it's what I had in my heart. I didn't say anything disrespectful. I just said what I felt, without bad words."
The 2024 Australian Open runner-up has been in excellent form over the past few months, with a 24-3 record since Wimbledon. After defeating Fernandez, she advanced to the quarterfinals, where she beat world No. 6 Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, moving into the semifinals of the tournament, just a week after reaching the same stage in Beijing.
Zheng will face her compatriot Xinyu Wang in an all-Chinese semifinal, ensuring that a local star will be in the final. The Paris 2024 gold medalist is chasing her first WTA 1000 final while also battling Emma Navarro for a spot in the WTA Finals, a qualification that seems more likely after some inconsistent results from the American.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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