(VIDEO) Zheng Qinwen hilariously doesn't realise match is over and leaves Sabalenka waiting at the net

Zheng Qinwen was left pretty bamboozled by Aryna Sabalenka who won through pretty comfortably 6-3, 6-4 in the opening Purple Group match at the 2024 WTA Finals on Saturday in Riyadh. But so much so that she didn't realise the match was done.

Both players came into the tournament as favourites with their respective records speaking for themselves as of late. Zheng in particular has been superb lately and has been perhaps the best player on the tour in recent months.

But Sabalenka has been the best all year and it is a match-up that Zheng has struggled with losing five times. In the fast zippy conditions of Riyadh, it makes it easier for Sabalenka to impose her will and power and find a way through. That is exactly what she did.

Zheng though didn't realise the match was done heading for the towel box instead of proceeding to the net for a handshake as Sabalenka was left waiting. After saying this week that she has no friends on the WTA Tour and it is purely business, it is sure that she did everything on her own terms despite not getting the win.

But while she is perhaps worried about the fact she didn't know the match was done, competing in Saudi Arabia is different and is merely another tournament for her. “No, actually I am not worried because doesn't matter where I go, I just play tennis. It's just a tennis tournament for me. I stand on the court, I play against another opponent, that's it," she said.

“Especially I felt if they can watch more woman athlete, how they are fighting on court. I feel sport is very beautiful to show the power of woman, to show the fight of woman, to show the energy. So I think it's positive things that we have a tournament here because... I don't know, I always feel there's type of responsibility on my shoulder."