Zheng Qinwen salutes “legend” Rafael Nadal in Wuhan after retirement announcement

WUHAN, China—Zheng Qinwen paid tribute to fellow Olympic champion Rafael Nadal after learning the 22-time Grand Slam had officially announced his retirement on Thursday.

“Wow, that's a shock news for me,” she said at a Dongfeng Voyah Wuhan Open press conference. “I thought he would continue play one more year.”

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Nadal, who topped the Olympic podium in Beijing back in 2008, revealed he would play his final match at the Davis Cup Finals at home in Spain next month. Zheng, who trained in Spain from a young age, opened up about how the Nadal continues to inspire her tennis after a comeback victory over Leylah Fernandez.

“He's a leader of a generation. I watched his matched since I was a kid,” said Zheng, who became a national hero in China when she won gold in Paris earlier this summer. “There's lots of memories. Even now sometimes I will search Rafael Nadal and watch his old matches when he had 19 years old, 20, when he's at his primetime.

“Of course, he inspires a lot to me. Even right now sometimes when I'm at a difficult moment, I will think how strong Rafael Nadal's mentality is in the tennis.

“I think that's sad to hear because I really wants to watch him more on the tour,” she added. “But every legend, there comes a time for them to retire. I wish he can continue enjoy life.”