news

This summer was like a dream for Wang Xinyu. She first made it to the top 16 in the women's singles at Wimbledon, then returned to Roland Garros and won an Olympic mixed doubles silver medal on the clay court she is most familiar with.

"I think being able to participate in the Olympics is already a very good experience for me, not to mention winning a medal like this. I am proud of myself," she told Xinhua at the Adidas House in central Paris.

She and Zhang Zhizhen were actually only two points away from the gold medal. In the third set, they were leading 8:6, but their opponents chased them by four points and they lost 8:10. Less than a day after the match, Wang Xinyu had already taken the defeat very calmly.

"We had many opportunities to take the lead, and we tried our best. Of course, there are some regrets. But looking back, I think we should give ourselves more encouragement and affirmation. After all, the first two games were very close and the results were very uncertain."

Paris can be said to be Wang Xinyu's lucky place. Last year, she partnered with Chinese Taipei player Hsieh Su-wei to win the French Open women's doubles championship. This year, she entered the third round of the women's singles at the French Open. But compared to the Grand Slam competition, representing the country in the Olympics is a different feeling.

"Although it's the same venue, we usually represent ourselves more. But in the Olympics, you can really feel the feeling of fighting for the country. That's why I think it's okay to participate in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. I can play in any of them, but in normal competitions, I will pay more attention to my physical strength."

It was unexpected for Zhang Zhizhen to participate in the mixed doubles competition. Because Zhang Zhizhen's partner Zheng Qinwen was exhausted after two days of six-hour competition, the mixed doubles team "disbanded on the spot", so Wang Xinyu urgently became his mixed doubles partner.

"I hesitated for a moment because he told me I only had half an hour to prepare, and I kept wondering if I could make it in time. Of course I must give it a try. I will be very happy to have such an opportunity to return to the Olympic arena and continue to fight for my country."

Wang Xinyu will celebrate her 23rd birthday next month. Seven years have passed since she first participated in a Grand Slam in 2017. She has also become accustomed to the ups and downs of being a professional player and has a deeper understanding of winning and losing.

She said: "I think winning and losing are two-sided. After losing a game, you immediately have a new opportunity next week to pursue victory."

When she entered the gate, Wang Xinyu met the legendary American veteran Stan Smith. The 78-year-old man congratulated her. Wang Xinyu handed him the silver medal and said, "It's a pity that I got a silver medal." The old man immediately comforted her and said, "It doesn't matter. I haven't won an Olympic medal."

The mixed doubles competition at the Olympics allowed more fans to see Wang Xinyu, who always kept a smile on the court. In life, she is a girl who likes quietness and has a calm personality. She told reporters that her biggest hobby is to sit in her favorite coffee shop, watching the passers-by and the dogs walking out of the shop, and then she feels very happy.

"I think the primary goal now is to make progress and become a better player. Losing is also very necessary for me." After the Olympics, Wang Xinyu will go to the United States to prepare for the US Open. Last year, she broke into the top 16 of the US Open.

Source: Xinhua News Agency