Zheng Qinwen's shocking first-round exit at Wimbledon 2025 has triggered a wave of criticism from Chinese fans, who have questioned her attitude and labeled her a "sore loser". The Olympic gold medalist and world No. 6 suffered a 7-5, 4-6, 6-1 defeat against Czech Republic's Katerina Siniakova, marking her third consecutive first-round loss at the prestigious tournament.
The defeat was unexpected, considering Zheng's strong performances leading up to Wimbledon. She had reached at least the quarter-finals in her last three events, including the Rome Masters, Roland Garros, and Queen's Club Championships. At Queen's, she made it to the semi-finals, raising expectations for a successful run at Wimbledon. However, she struggled against Siniakova, a three-time doubles champion at the All England Club.
Throughout the match, Zheng faced difficulties with her serve, encountering 16 break points and losing her serve five times. Her performance was further marred by 38 unforced errors. According to reports, Zheng admitted that she "was not focused enough" during the match. She acknowledged that her concentration wavered, particularly in the first set when she was leading 5-3. "I gave her the game so easily. It's a pity," Zheng said. She also added, "On grass, you don't get too many chances to come back. I should have taken my chances better, but I'm not going to let this enter my mind. It's just one match I lost at Wimbledon".
Despite her efforts to level the match by winning the second set, Zheng couldn't maintain her momentum in the deciding set. Siniakova's grasscourt expertise proved too much for Zheng to handle, leading to her disappointing defeat. This loss marks the fourth time in her past six Grand Slam appearances that Zheng has failed to reach the round of 16, a stark contrast to her quarterfinal runs at the US Open and French Open.
The Chinese fanbase appears to have reacted strongly to Zheng's loss, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration online. Some fans have criticized her attitude and questioned her mental fortitude. The term "sore loser" has been used by some to describe her demeanor following the defeat. This criticism may stem from the high expectations placed on Zheng, who is considered one of China's top tennis players and a potential Grand Slam contender.
Zheng's compatriot Zhu Lin also faced an early exit at Wimbledon, losing to Veronika Kudermetova in straight sets. However, Wang Xinyu of China secured a victory against Karolina Muchova, reaching the second round.
Zheng's loss also dashed hopes of a highly anticipated second-round match against Naomi Osaka, who won her first-round match. Siniakova will now face Osaka in the second round.
