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Marta Kostyuk Porsche Tennis Grand Prix Zheng Qinwen

Marta Kostyuk sparks debate by undermining Zheng Qinwen’s Australian Open run

After her loss to world No.4 Elena Rybakina in the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final, world No.21 Marta Kostyuk stirred up discussion for her comments about the varying difficulties in draws across events on the tennis calendar and her perspective on the significance of other players’ results.

Marta Kostyuk

Speaking to the press in Stuttgart, Kostyuk’s comments reignited the enduring debate in tennis regarding the differing levels of competition across various tournaments. The Ukrainian, who defeated three Top-10 players en route to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix final, highlighted the unpredictable nature of tennis. She emphasized that while she could face the highest-ranked players in a 500-level event, other players might reach the final of a Grand Slam without facing a Top-50 opponent, citing Zheng Qinwen’s run at the Australian Open as an example.

While Kostyuk’s comments sparked discussion among tennis fans, some criticized her for publicly undermining her peers’ achievements. They argued that while it’s valid to discuss the differences in draw difficulty, it’s not necessary to call out specific players and belittle their accomplishments.

This isn’t the first time Kostyuk has been criticized for her outspokenness. Earlier, she compared Emma Raducanu’s US Open victory to Leylah Fernandez’s run, pointing out that Raducanu didn’t face a Top-10 player en route to her title. “Someone can have a very easy draw, and someone can have extremely difficult,” Kostyuk said. “I have an easiest example of when Leylah and Emma were playing the final, what draw Leylah had and what draw Emma had. Emma, no offense, but Leylah was really fighting for her life every single match.”

While these observations may be factually accurate, some feel that Kostyuk’s delivery comes across as dismissive of her colleagues’ successes.

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Zheng Qinwen

Zheng Qinwen becomes the 2nd tennis star to promote Lancôme

Chinese No.1 Zheng Qinwen has joined the growing list of Lancôme ambassadors on the Hologic WTA Tour. Just a day after Poland’s Iga Swiatek made headlines as the first athlete to partner with the beauty brand, Lancôme unveiled an advertisement featuring Zheng on their Weibo account.

Zheng Qinwen

The 21-year-old Zheng, currently ranked 7th in the world, has expanded her endorsement portfolio to include Lancôme, joining an impressive lineup of brands such as Nike, Wilson, Rolex, Gatorade, Ant Group, and McDonald’s China.

It appears that Zheng’s endorsement deal with Lancôme may be limited to the Chinese market, as her promotional image was posted exclusively on the brand’s Weibo account, while Swiatek’s photoshoot is featured on Lancôme’s official Instagram.

In other news, Zheng is currently in Stuttgart for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, where she has advanced to the second round with a 6-2 6-3 victory over Romania’s Sorana Cirstea.

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Bethanie Mattek Sands BNP Paribas Open Dayana Yastremska Heather Watson Jelena Ostapenko Katerina Siniakova Katie Boulter Laura Siegemund Paula Badosa Zheng Qinwen

Style spotlight: The best looks from the Taste of Tennis event in Indian Wells

Monday evening was abuzz with excitement as Taste of Tennis made its return to the desert, setting the stage for a memorable event at the Hyatt Indian Wells Resort and Spa. The party was hosted by the Tennis Channel commentator and former ATP star, Nick Monroe. The event drew a star-studded crowd of WTA and ATP players, who came together for an evening of good music and exquisite cuisine. Join us as we take a look at some of the highlights captured in photos.

Tsitsidosa

The hottest tennis couple, Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas, made an appearance together, embracing a laid-back look. Paula wore a white crop top paired with flowing textured beige trousers and accessorized with a Christian Dior bag. Stefanos donned a Hawaii-style shirt paired with crisp white trousers.

Jelena Ostapenko at the Taste of Tennis Event

Style icon of the evening was definitely Jelena Ostapenko. The Latvian wore a striking Louis Vuitton logo shirt featuring an ombre sky blue effect, paired with white pants, blue loafers and a matching Christian Dior bag.

Dayana Yastremska at the Taste of Tennis Event in Indian Wells

Dayana Yastremska turned heads in a black high-cut bodysuit with zippers, paired with baggy jeans and a small black Chanel crossbody bag.

Katie Boulter at the Taste of Tennis event in Indian Wells

Fresh from her San Diego title, Katie Boulter looked cute in light blue jeans paired with a girly white top adorned with straps tied in bows.

Katerina Siniakova with boyfriend

Long-standing tennis couple Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac also graced the event with their presence.

Alycia Parks

Alycia Parks made a bold statement in a black corset-style jumpsuit embellished with sparkling rhinestones.

Monica Niculescu at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells

Monica Niculescu chose a striking black suit, complemented by a sparkly black see-through mock-neck top.

Zheng Qinwen at Taste of Tennis

Zheng Qinwen chose a clean, sporty look in all white, pairing long white pants with a cropped, ruched shirt.

Nicole Melichar with her husband at Taste of Tennis

Nicole Melichar-Martinez was there with her husband Carlos Martinez.

Here are some more photos of WTA players who enjoyed endless food from the Coachella Valley’s best, all set to music by Jared Harper and party hits by DJ Danny Castillo.

Harriet Dart at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Harriet Dart
Laura Siegemund at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Laura Siegemund
Aleksandra Krunic at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Aleksandra Krunic
Yulia Putintseva at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Yulia Putintseva
Arina Rodionova at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Arina Rodionova
Marie Bouzkova at Taste of Tennis in Indian Wells
Marie Bouzkova

The next Taste of Tennis event will take place in Miami, on March 18, where culinary experts will gather with top WTA and ATP players to create a night to remember at the JW Marriott Miami. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit here (tasteoftennis.com/miami) and follow @tasteoftennis on social media for updates.

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Cori Gauff Donna Vekic Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships Elina Svitolina Zheng Qinwen

7 best outfits at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships features a 64-player field, offering a fantastic display of tennis outfits this week in the United Arab Emirates. I’ve curated a list of my favorite looks from the WTA 1000 tournament and would love to hear your thoughts. While I’ve ranked them, each outfit stands out for its unique style and deserves recognition. Let me know if you agree with my choices or if you think another look should be added to the list.

7. Magdalena Frech, Bidi Badu

Magdalena Frech in Bidi Badu dress
Magdalena Frech of Poland brought a refreshing style to the courts with her 2-in-1 Wild Arts Dress by Bidi Badu. The item, adorned with an artistic print in vibrant red and pink tones, features a racerback design and a pleated bottom section.

Magdalena Frech Mizuno shoes

The world No.53 perfectly matched her elegant red manicure and the Mizuno Wave Enforce Tour tennis shoes.

6. Dayana Yastremska, Yonex

Dayana Yastremska in Yonex

The Yonex collection unveiled at the 2024 Australian Open stands out as one of the brand’s best in recent years, in my view. Dayana Yastremska‘s outfit, in particular, caught my eye. She sported the Melbourne Tank, featuring print trim accents, paired with the Melbourne Print Skirt in a wavy print that blends shades of blue accented by yellow.

Dayana Yastremska's Yonex tennis shoes in Dubai

Perfectly matched with the Ukrainian’s apparel are her yellow Yonex PC Fusion Rev 5 kicks.

5. Peyton Stearns, Wilson

Peyton Stearns in Wilson outfit at Dubai

Wilson‘s solid-colored outfits consistently grab attention, thanks to their bold hues and sexy silhouettes. American tennis player Peyton Stearns exemplified this trend, looking stunning in a vibrant red crop top paired with a high-waisted pleated skirt. The bold color and flattering cut accentuated Stearns’ athletic physique, making for a striking on-court appearance.

Peyton Stearns in New Balance tennis shoes

When it comes to footwear, Stearns wears the New Balance CT Rally.

4. Zheng Qinwen, Nike

Zheng Qinwen at the Dubai tournament

Zheng Qinwen looks stylish in her soft yellow Nike separates from the Melbourne collection. The Nike Melbourne Slam Tank features a racerback design with slightly textured material and a cutout on the back. Paired with the Nike Spring Advantage Mini Pleat Skirt, which boasts an asymmetrical pleated panel, Zheng’s ensemble not only looks great but also serves a functional purpose by minimizing fly-ups during play, ensuring she remains focused and free from distractions on the court.

The Chinese player wears the Nike Vapor Pro 2 tennis shoe, in the colorway from this year’s Melbourne footwear collection.

3. Elina Svitolina, Adidas

Elina Svitolina in Adidas at Dubai

Adidas recently unveiled a black-and-white Premium collection that captivates with its simplicity and discreet details. This collection has garnered so much love that I dedicated a separate article to showcase how Elina Svitolina, Maria Sakkari, Daria Kasatkina, and Karolina Pliskova all look stunning in it at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships.

Elina Svitolina's adidas Avacourt 2 tennis shoes
Svitolina exudes grace in the Adidas Core Premium Dress. This design not only enhances her silhouette with its hourglass color-blocking but also ensures optimal comfort through its mesh fabric panels. An interesting detail in this collection is the laser-cut Adidas logo adorning each garment. To complete her look, the Ukrainian pairs the dress with the Adidas Avacourt 2 tennis shoes, personalized with Ukrainian flag and the logo of the Svitolina Foundation.

2. Donna Vekic, Uomo Sport

Donna Vekic

Donna Vekic‘s natural beauty shines through in everything she wears, but this week in Dubai, she exudes a particularly classy charm. She sported a blue short-sleeved top (Le Club Crew Milos) tucked into a flirty skirt with pleats in the back (Luxe Skort White) from her own line within Uomo Sport. Her confidence translated onto the court, where she made a statement by eliminating reigning Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in the second round. Donna Vekic's On tennis shoes in Dubai

Complementing her ensemble, the Croatian opted for On tennis shoes, completing a stylish and functional look for her matches.

1. Coco Gauff, New Balance

Coco Gauff

Coco Gauff continues to make waves not just on the tennis court but also in women’s tennis fashion with New Balance. The soon-to-be-twenty-year-old, who made TIME’s 2024 Women of the Year list, showcased her style in an eye-catching red New Balance Spring Tournament Tank, a somewhat shorter design with contrast binding on the neck. The American paired it with a matching skirt featuring front hem vents. 

coco cg1 tennis shoes australian open

Completing her ensemble, Coco wore her signature CG1 shoes, this time in the NB navy, true red, and ginger lemon colorway. Her fashion-forward choices reflect her growing influence both on and off the court, solidifying her status as a trendsetter in the world of tennis fashion.

I’ve highlighted some of the top women’s tennis fashion moments from the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, but I’d love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree with my picks, or would you add someone else to the list? Fashion is subjective, and the beauty of tennis fashion lies in its diversity and individuality.
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Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open Zheng Qinwen

Sabalenka overpowers Zheng to defend Australian Open title

Focused and determined, Aryna Sabalenka clinched her second consecutive Australian Open title with a commanding 6-3 6-2 victory over Zheng Qinwen in the final.

Aryna Sabalenka

The world No.2 Sabalenka started the match with a brutal display of dominance, swiftly securing a 2-0 lead while relinquishing only a single point in the process. Notably, Eurosport provided a compelling statistic, revealing that Sabalenka clinches a set 94% of the time after earning an early break. To claim the third game and extend her lead to 3-0, Sabalenka exhibited her resilience by winning five consecutive points, confidently overcoming a challenging 0-40 deficit.

Zheng then finally interrupted Sabalenka’s momentum with a flawless love hold in the following game, to which Sabalenka responded with a love hold of her own, solidifying her commanding 4-1 lead. Facing a daunting 2-5 0-40 deficit, Zheng bravely saved three set points, ultimately holding serve and prolonging the set. In the subsequent game on Sabalenka’s serve, the Chinese player fended off one more set point, but she eventually succumbed to the Belarusian’s power.

Having opened the second set with a break, Sabalenka maintained her dominance, surging through the remainder of the match. Although the final game posed a challenge, with Zheng saving four match points and earning a break point, Sabalenka exhibited composure, ultimately serving it out for the win.

Note that coming into the Australian Open final, both Sabalenka and Zheng had won over 75% of their first-serve points in the tournament — in the title match, Sabalenka improved that percentage to staggering 84% (which was even 90% until the final game), while Zheng dropped just slightly to 74%.

Sabalenka has become the fifth player since 2000 to win the Australian Open without losing a set, joining Lindsay Davenport (2000), Maria Sharapova (2008), Serena Williams (2017), and Ashleigh Barty (2022). En route to her second title in Melbourne, Sabalenka defeated Ella Seidel, Brenda Fruhvirtova, Lesia Tsurenko, Amanda Anisimova, Barbora Krejcikova, Coco Gauff, and lastly Zheng Qinwen, all in straight sets.

The champion’s winning gear: the Nike Spring Slam Dress from the Melbourne collection, NikeCourt Zoom NXT tennis shoe, and Wilson Blade 98 18×20 v8 tennis racket.

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Aryna Sabalenka Australian Open Zheng Qinwen

Sabalenka & Zheng Aussie Open gear: Nike & Wilson reign supreme in the final

Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen are set to face each other for the 2024 Australian Open title on Saturday. Let’s have a look at their tennis shoes, apparel and racquets. For the first time since the 2020 US Open we’re having an all-Nike Grand Slam final! It will also be a clash between two Wilson racquets.

Aryna Sabalenka: Nike dress and Wilson racquet

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka returned to the Australian Open final with a thrilling 7-6(2) 6-4 victory over reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff. The world No.2 promotes Nike’s new Melbourne collection, a mix of color-blocking mastery and tonal knit textures.

Nike Women's Spring Slam Dress

The Belarusian’s specific choice is the red version of the Nike Spring Slam Dress, a racerback design made from a stretchy Dri-FIT material. It is characteristic for its curved hem, contrast wavy line accent on the sides and a perforated elastic strap on the back.

Note that Nike tailored a custom red dress for Sabalenka’s US Open appearance, yet for her title defense in Australia, she’s sporting a generic design from the brand. Looks like they went all-in on Naomi Osaka.

NikeCourt Zoom NXT AC Noble Red Women's Shoes
NikeCourt Zoom NXT AC Noble Red Women’s Shoes

Interestingly, Sabalenka is wearing the previous season’s NikeCourt Zoom NXT tennis shoe in noble red, as the color perfectly matches her new dress. Let me remind you, she wore the same kicks in the 2023 US Open final.

wilson blade v9 tennis racquet

When it comes to a tennis racquet, Sabalenka plays with Wilson Blade 98 18×20 v9.

Zheng Qinwen: Nike outfit and Wilson racquet

Zheng Qinwen in Nike at the 2024 Australian Open

Zheng Qinwen reached her maiden Grand Slam final with a 6-4 6-4 victory over Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska. The Chinese player showcases her fashion flair with an exquisite ensemble from the Nike Melbourne collection, donning the eye-catching green Nike Melbourne Slam Tank paired with the matching Nike Spring Advantage Mini Pleat Skirt.

The top’s textured material, along with the strategically placed cutout on the back, provides proper ventilation and freedom of movement. The skirt stands out with its wavy micro-pleated panel, designed in such a way to minimize fly-ups during play.

Nike Vapor Pro 2 PRM Women's Shoe
Nike Vapor Pro 2 PRM Women’s Shoe

Queenwen, as they started calling her, wears Nike Vapor Pro 2 tennis shoe, in the colorway from the latest Melbourne footwear collection.

Wilson Pro Staff 97 v14

Just like her next opponent, Zheng uses a Wilson tennis racquet, specifically the Pro Staff 97 v14 model.

The upcoming Australian Open final will be the second career meeting between Aryna Sabalenka and Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka holds a 1-0 lead in their head-to-head record, their sole encounter taking place in the US Open quarterfinals last year.

Sabalenka is currently on a remarkable 13-match winning streak at the Australian Open and has yet to drop a set this fortnight. She aims to make history by becoming the first woman to successfully defend the Australian Open title since her countrywoman Victoria Azarenka accomplished the feat in 2013.

On the other side, Zheng is set to play in her first Grand Slam final and is eager to carve her name in history as the first Chinese woman to win a Grand Slam since Li Na’s triumph in Melbourne a decade ago.

Read more: Explore our comprehensive coverage of the 2024 Australian Open fashion.

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Australian Open Dayana Yastremska Zheng Qinwen

Zheng stops Yastremska, reaches maiden Grand Slam final in Melbourne

World No.15 Zheng Qinwen is through to her first Grand Slam final with a 6-4 6-4 victory over qualifier Dayana Yastremska at the Australian Open.

Zheng Qinwen

Playing her ninth consecutive match in Melbourne, Yastremska initially secured a 2-0 lead, yet Zheng swiftly turned the tide during her opponent’s serve, reaching a 40-0 advantage. Despite Yastremska’s valiant effort to secure a game point, she committed as many as four double faults, resulting in the loss of that critical game. Zheng then consolidated her position with a flawless love hold to even the score at 2-2.

As the match progressed, Zheng gained a pivotal break at 4-3, after which Yastremska took a medical timeout. Upon her return, Yastremska had a chance to level the score at 4-4, yet she couldn’t convert her break point, allowing Zheng to maintain her lead. This sequence of events ultimately culminated in Zheng clinching the first set.

At the start of the second set, Zheng managed to secure a break but promptly conceded it back to Yastremska, resulting in a leveled score of 2-2. Following this moment, the Chinese player demonstrated exceptional dominance, losing only one point per game in four out of the next six games.

In the upcoming Australian Open final, Zheng is set to face the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, who secured her spot in the title match after a thrilling victory over Coco Gauff.

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Australian Open Zheng Qinwen

Zheng Qinwen completes Australian Open semifinal field, ensures Top 10 debut

Playing her second consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, seed No.12 Zheng Qinwen recovered from a set down to defeat Anna Kalinskaya 6-7(4) 6-3 6-1 and book her place in the semifinals of the Australian Open.

Zheng Qinwen

The world No.75 Kalinskaya swiftly recovered twice from an early break down in the first set, ultimately securing it in a tiebreak. Zheng’s inconsistent first serve of 49% provided her opponent with an advantage.

Moving into the second set, neither player encountered break points until the score reached 4-3. At this crucial juncture, Zheng seized the opportunity, earning and converting a break point. Subsequently, the Chinese player confidently held her own serve to claim the set, showcasing a notable shift in momentum.

Zheng asserted her dominance in the deciding set, securing two consecutive games at love to establish a commanding 3-1 lead. She maintained her momentum, relentlessly surging through the remaining games without conceding a single one.

This triumph guarantees Zheng a debut in the Top 10 of the WTA rankings. Her upcoming semifinal challenge awaits against qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who emerged victorious against Linda Noskova earlier on Wednesday. It will be their first career meeting. Aryna Sabalenka vs. Coco Gauff is the other women’s singles semifinal pair.

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Li Na Zheng Qinwen

Butt-slap hello: Li Na surprises Zheng Qinwen in Melbourne

Tennis icon Li Na unexpectedly interrupted Zheng Qinwen’s interview, surprising her with a friendly pat on the backside during their first face-to-face encounter.

While the 21-year-old Zheng was engaged in a media interview after her 6-4 2-6 7-6(8) victory over fellow Chinese Wang Yafan in the Australian Open’s third round, Li spontaneously showed up, catching Zheng off guard by casually slapping her on the butt. Very excited to see the two-time major champion in person, Zheng immediately hugged her with a wide smile on her face. During a lighthearted conversation, Li congratulated Zheng on reaching her first Australian Open Round of 16.

 

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Zheng, currently the highest-ranked WTA player from China at No.15, shared her experience of meeting Li. Despite having crossed paths with Li once before, this was their first opportunity to have a conversation:

“She just went to me like this, say congratulations. I was feeling super happy to meet her and have the chance to talk with her because I never talked with her in person. That was feeling really special for me.”

As the 12th-seeded Zheng anticipates her fourth-round encounter with Oceane Dodin, eyeing a chance to secure her second consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinal, Li offered a straightforward piece of advice.

“She said to me don’t think too much, just keep simple,” Zheng shared with reporters. “I think that’s right now what I need to do as well, yeah.”

Li, the first Grand Slam singles champion from Asia, has returned to Melbourne to participate in the legends’ tournament.

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Zheng Qinwen

Qinwen starstruck by Djokovic at United Cup: “My idol.”

Chinese No.1 Zheng Qinwen saw Novak Djokovic during her team’s press conference at the United Cup in Perth and couldn’t contain her excitement, enthusiastically waving to the ATP world No.1 and urging him not to leave.

Qinwen Zheng at the 2024 United Cup in Perth

The best men’s tennis player Djokovic was passing by as Qinwen and her teammates were talking to the media. The multilingual ATP legend thanked the Chinese squad in their native language, saying “xièxiè nǐmen”. Zheng, ranked 14th in the WTA, was visibly thrilled at seeing her favorite player. With sparkling eyes, she waved to Djokovic and exclaimed:

My idol. Please don’t go. I still haven’t got your autograph yet.

Apart from his native Serbian, Djokovic exhibits fluency in English and Italian. Additionally, he demonstrates impressive proficiency in Spanish, French, and German. Djokovic’s linguistic talent was further highlighted when he astonished everyone, including his fellow Serbs Olga Danilovic and Viktor Troicki, by spontaneously extending New Year’s greetings in Chinese during a press conference in Perth.

Zheng Qinwen found herself paired up with Zhang Zhizhen for an exhilarating mixed doubles match against Novak Djokovic and Olga Danilovic at the 2024 United Cup. The showdown took place on New Year’s Eve at RAC Arena, culminating in a hard-fought battle where the Serbian team ultimately triumphed with a 6-4 1-6 10-6 victory.

Olga Danilovic and Novak Djokovic at the 2024 United Cup in Perth

Two days later, the Serbian team secured a narrow win against the Czech Republic and seized the top spot in Group E. This triumphant performance propelled them into the quarterfinals, where they are set to face off against Australia. China, also hailing from Group E, earned their spot among the final eight teams as well. Their upcoming challenge awaits in a clash against Poland.

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