Emma Navarro didn’t want to be on the losing side of a close three-set match at her first Olympics. By losing 6-7 (7), 7-6 (4), 6-1 to China’s Qinwen Zheng in the third round on Tuesday, Navarro’s Paris 2024 singles tournament was over.
Instead of just the usual handshake after every match between opponents, Navarro went one step further. The 23-year-old American grabbed Zheng’s hand and looked at her. Navarro spoke with Zheng in a tense exchange at the net, with Navarro shaking her head in frustration as the players walked around thanking the chair umpire.
Navarro didn’t mince his words when asked about the conversation later.
“I just told her I didn’t respect her as a competitor,” Navarro said after the match. “I think she goes about things in a pretty cutthroat way. It creates a locker room where there isn’t a lot of camaraderie, so it’s hard to go up against an opponent like that, who I really don’t respect. But kudos to her, she played some good tennis there in the end. She played better than me, so congratulate her.”
Navarro did not elaborate on why she made these comments and what it is about Zheng who, according to the American, makes her “murderous”. Zheng admitted that Navarro told her, “She doesn’t know how I have many fans.”
“It seems she is not happy with my behavior towards her,” Zheng said.
But Zheng did not retaliate with criticism. Instead, Zheng said she did not consider Navarro’s words “an attack” because the American lost the match.
“If she is not happy with my behavior, she can come and tell me,” Zheng said. “I would like to correct this to become a better player and a better person.”
(Photo by Qinwen Zheng: Tnani Badreddine / DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Tuesday’s meeting was the second match between Navarro and Zheng. Playing in soft conditions on a packed Court Seven at Roland Garros, Navarro roared back in the first set at 3-5 to force a tiebreak. Zheng took a 6–3 lead into the tiebreak, then Navarro rallied again, saving four set points on his way to a 9–7 win.
In the second set, Navarro, with a 5-3 lead and a serve for the match, had a match point. A chance to advance to the Olympic quarterfinals was within Navarro’s reach. But Navarro recorded a forehand unforced error. Zheng took advantage and broke to stay alive. In the next game, Zheng held serve and suddenly the second set was all square, 5-5.
Zheng was not impressed for a moment in the second set tiebreak. At 2-2, Zheng scored three points in a row to take control of the tiebreak. At set point 6-4, Zheng smashed a forehand winner, forcing a third and deciding set.
At that moment, the Chinese fans present roared in support of Zheng. In the third set, Zheng had 13 service winners, recorded a first serve of 79 percent and won all her net points (4 for 4). Zheng broke Navarro three times. The American never had a chance at a breaking point.
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Zheng praised the Chinese public’s support for leading her to victory.
“It’s so special because I don’t fight for myself,” Zheng said. “I fight for China. There was so much crowd cheering for me. … I feel very cheerful.”
It’s been a year full of career achievements for both Zheng and Navarro. Zheng reached her first slam final in January at the Australian Open and a new career-high ranking of world No. 7. Navarro, the 2021 NCAA singles champion with Virginia, won her first WTA tournament at Hobart International and reached her first slam quarterfinal at Wimbledon.
After more than three hours, with a 5-1 lead in the final set, Zheng got her fourth match point opportunity. Navarro’s backhand sailed wide, giving Zheng the win.
Zheng raised her arms high, let out a scream and clenched her left fist. Navarro admitted there were emotions coming off the field, the toll of not being able to close on match point and playing for more than three hours.
She will now have to wait four years for her next potential Olympic moment.
Zheng’s Olympic dream of winning a medal continues. She will play against three-time slam winner Angelique Kerber, who is participating in her last professional tournament.
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(Photo: Tnani Badreddine/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)