Qinwen Zheng has been living in Spain for almost six years. The Chinese player moved to Barcelona to start working under Pere Riba, her coach, who has shaped her into one of the best tennis players in the world. During her time at the Mutua Madrid Open, Zheng visited the set of ‘Iguales’, the tournament’s official podcast, where she spoke to Jaime Leal ‘Gravesen’ about her special connection with Spain.

“I think the thing I like best about Spain is your mentality”, said the WTA world number eight during the chat. “In China we work very hard, but sometimes Spanish people are drinking beer at four or five in the afternoon and they look very relaxed. At first, I said to my mum ‘How do Spanish people enjoy life so much?!’”.

Zheng, who was knocked out of the Mutua Madrid Open by Anastasia Potapova 6-4, 6-4 in round two, went further in her comparison of Chinese and Spanish culture and praised what she called a perfect balance between professional sport and enjoying life. She even mentioned Carlos Alcaraz, whose new Netflix series ‘My Way’ makes it clear that he does not want to sacrifice his leisure and family time to become a tennis great.

“In China we like working hard, but you’re very good athletes, which means that you know how to find a good balance. So I started to ask myself: ‘How is it possible that the Spanish are so good at sport and they enjoy life so much?’ For example, Carlos Alcaraz won a Grand Slam and went on holiday to Ibiza”, added the 2024 Australian Open finalist.

The philosophy of Alcaraz and Spain in general has rubbed off on the Chinese tennis player. “I’m starting to understand that if you want to be good at tennis, you also need to learn to enjoy life. That’s the biggest thing I’ve learned from life in Spain. Also that mentality to fight in sport”.

During her visit to ‘Iguales’, Qinwen was even brave enough to say a few words in Spanish. “Enjoy life”, she said in perfect Spanish, when Jaime Leal asked her what her favourite expression was. She also spoke about her favourite local food, again in Spanish: “I really like the Spanish tortilla and ham croquettes. Also paella and bread with tomato. In Spain the food is very good”. Then she concluded: “That’s what happens when you spend so long in Spain!” These final words were delivered in English, but knowing Qinwen and her love of all things Spanish, next year she may well record the whole podcast with ‘Gravesen’ in the local lingo.