China's tennis ace and Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen vowed to keep pushing her limits after narrowly missed the title in her WTA Finals debut in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday.
Zheng showcased her skills and resilience, but lost to Coco Gauff of the United States 6-3, 4-6, 6(2)-7.
In an interview after the intense match, she admitted that she wasn't at her best, and expressed her thanks to her fans for their unwavering support.
"Talking about my performance in this match, I feel that I played probably at about 60 to 70 percent of my potential. There were moments where I could have handled key points and mid-court balls better. I want to say thanks to my fans who stayed up to watch the match despite the late hour. Although the result wasn't what I had hoped for, this is the charm of sports — nothing is certain until the very last moment. I hope that I would not let you down next time, and I could give a better account of myself," Zheng said.
Looking ahead, she revealed her new goal: to constantly push her limits in every step of her development.
"The new goal is to keep pushing my limits, whether in tennis skills or in every aspect of my physical capabilities, including my competition results that are obvious to all, because I think only by challenging myself continuously can I truly understand tennis, which is my passion, my dream and the reason that I've kept going all these years," said the 22-year-old player.
China's sensation vows to keep pushing limits after missing title in WTA Finals debut
Across continents, from Greece to Uganda and from Malaysia to Egypt, cultural festivities have been held in recent days in celebration of the Spring Festival, inviting local communities to experience the richness of Chinese traditions firsthand.
This year's Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year, fell on Tuesday, ushering in the Year of the Horse, the seventh animal in the 12-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac.
In central Athens, capital of Greece, a "Happy Spring Festival" event filled Kotzia Square with a festive atmosphere.
The celebration, now in its 10th consecutive year in Greece, drew nearly 20,000 participants.
"Happy New Year! We are sister cities with Beijing. We are sister cities with Shanghai. I went to Shanghai a few months ago and we have very strong communication bridges and I am sure that cultural activities and many other activities out there will help building our friendship," said Haris Doukas, mayor of Athens.
In Kampala, Uganda, a temple fair celebrating Chinese New Year brought a festive atmosphere to the city. Performance groups from both China and Uganda staged vibrant shows for audiences, jointly welcoming the Year of the Horse.
"I wish the Chinese community and all the people who are here to celebrate a joyous and prosperous Spring Festival. May the New Year inspire us to work towards a more harmonious and prosperous world," said Jessica Alupo, vice president of Uganda, at the event.
In Kuala Lumpur, a cultural festival themed on the Spring Festival was held amid vibrant market stalls, festive adornments, dragon and lion dances, and opera performances, attracting throngs of revelers from home and abroad.
"It's so lively and bustling. It's great for children to see how traditional festivals are celebrated and to understand Chinese culture," said a local resident.
Meanwhile, landmarks around the world lit up in "China Red" to mark the occasion, including the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome, Egypt's Iconic Tower, the tallest building in Africa, and the newly constructed Vrbas Nova railway station on the Serbia section of the Hungary-Serbia Railway.
World joins China in welcoming Year of Horse with colorful festivities
World joins China in welcoming Year of Horse with colorful festivities
