Zhu Zhenzhen is set to make her mark at the 2024 Paris Summer Paralympics, aiming for a historic gold medal in wheelchair tennis. As China's first professional athlete in the sport, Zhu has already broken several barriers, including being the first to compete in a Grand Slam tournament through world ranking points and securing runner-up positions in both women's doubles at the 2023 Australian Open and singles at the French Open.
Her journey has been remarkable. Three years ago, Zhu finished fourth in the women's singles at the Tokyo Summer Paralympics, which were delayed due to the pandemic. In 2023, she continued her ascent by winning silver medals in both singles and doubles at the Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province.
Preparing for Paris, Zhu is determined to elevate her performance and bring home a medal for China. Her dedication is rooted in her early life challenges; she became disabled due to an osteomyelitis infection at two years old and spent eight years mastering wheelchair tennis.
Zhu's career highlights include winning doubles and team golds at China's eighth National Para Games in 2011 and reaching the quarterfinals in both singles and doubles at the 2016 Rio Summer Paralympics. In 2018, she teamed up with Huang Huimin to win the women's doubles final at the Asian Para Games in Jakarta, marking China's first gold in the event.
Since turning professional in 2018, Zhu has competed in 11 Grand Slam tournaments, overcoming numerous challenges both on and off the court. Currently ranked fifth in the world, she remains steadfast in her vision of standing atop the podium, proudly representing China.
\"Although I am currently ranked fifth in the world, which is a relatively high ranking, I still aspire to stand atop the podium representing China,\" Zhu shared with China Media Group. \"In fact, I have privately envisioned scenes of myself winning a Paralympic gold medal and the mere thought of it excites me.\"
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Zhu Zhenzhen aims for wheelchair tennis gold at 2024 Paris Paralympics
cgtn.com
