Furious chinese star Zheng Qinwen slams ‘Immoral’ coach for dropping her mid-contract
Chinese No 1 Zheng Qinwen has slammed coach Wim Fissette after his decision to drop her in favour of returning to coaching Naomi Osaka in 2024.
Fisette, who has also worked with World No 1s Victoria Azarenka, Simona Halep and Angelique Kerber in the past, coached Osaka to her 2020 US Open and 2021 Australian Open triumphs.
In mid-2022, he announced that he would no longer be working with Osaka as he moved on to new challenges.
Fisette took up a deal to coach Zheng that was seemingly set to be a multi-year association.
However, Zheng learned just before the Asian Games that Fisette was leaving her team to reunite with Osaka next season.
Fisette had previously delivered glowing praise of Zheng and hoped to lead her to new heights in her career.
“She’s strong and super fast. It’s really impressive how fast she is on the court. Second, her work ethic is unbelievable. It’s really nice: two hours of tennis per day, and also two gym sessions – it’s a normal day for her. It’s really impressive,” said Fissette.
“She does everything with a big smile because it is really her desire and her ambition – she wants to do everything it takes to achieve the best. First of all, she desires to be the best, she’s willing to do everything it takes. Athleticism is a very important one.”
Zheng did not respond well to questions about the situation while she was turning out at the Asian Games.
She feels that Fisette has let her down and has broken a contract with her, which she characterised as ‘Immoral’.
“He broke the contract and it is very immoral. This is his choice and I will respect that. Even though this brings some harm to me and my family. I don’t want to talk about that person right now, don’t want to talk about him,” Zheng said of the coach.
Zheng had only hired Fisette in June of this year but with him on her team the rising star was able to claim her maiden WTA Tour title. Just before bringing him in Zheng had broken into the WTA Rankings top 20 for the first time.
As the top-ranked Chinese woman and a talent that is quite obvious, much is expected of Zheng in the ongoing Asian swing.
Zheng Qinwen beat Zhu Lin in straight sets in the women’s tennis final at the Asian Games 2023 on Friday and will return to the WTA Tour bolstered by the result.
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