Zheng Qinwen
Athlete
The Chinese tennis champion has become a bankable name in luxury, using her Olympic success to secure major covers and brand ambassadorships for Dior and Rolex.
Zheng Qinwen is a Chinese professional tennis player who swiftly took the sports and luxury worlds by storm. In 2024, Zheng made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Chinese tennis player to win a singles gold medal. The milestone cemented her status as a national icon in her home country and boosted her commercial appeal. Alongside endorsement deals with brands like Rolex and Audi, Zheng was named a global ambassador for Dior in January 2025. The first athlete to grace the cover of Vogue China in November 2024, she also appeared in numerous other fashion titles as well as a Nike campaign.
The Fujian native began playing tennis at age seven and turned pro in 2018. She was named the 2022 WTA Newcomer of the Year and won her first WTA Tour title in 2023. Her on-court performance, marked by athleticism and resilience, has garnered comparisons to some of the sport's greats. By June 2025, she had reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world, making her the second Chinese player to enter the global top 5. Her growing influence beyond tennis has led her to become one of the world's highest-paid female athletes.
VITAL STATISTICS
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The people shaping the global fashion industry, curated by the editors of The Business of Fashion, based on nominations and on-the-ground intelligence from around the world.
