After Chinese tennis player Zheng Qinwen won the China Open in early October, a series of photos showing her in a white dress and studded high heels, holding the trophy on the Great Wall, unexpectedly drew criticism from female internet users who accused the athlete of trying to please men and of not looking like an independent woman.
Chinese social media celebrated Zheng’s victory, which made her the first Chinese player to win the championship in the tournament’s 22-year history.
The 24-year-old has been one of the country’s most popular athletes since reaching the French Open round of 16 four years ago. She also won the women’s singles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
On October 12, she posted several photos of herself in a long dress and high heels, holding the China Open trophy on the Great Wall outside Beijing. The caption read: “The long-awaited photo with the trophy.”