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
A contemporary Chinese art exhibition has been held at the Hungarian National Museum in Budapest, playing a vibrant role in fostering cultural ties between the East and the West. The exhibits, including brush paintings and sculptures on mountains, rivers, plants, blend traditional brushwork with Western influences, creating a serene, meditative atmosphere.
The artists' deep connection with the natural world is a window that the "Chinese Xieyi exhibition'' at the Hungarian National Museum presents to the public to explore Chinese philosophy, according to Tunde FegyvAri-Komori, curator of the Hungarian National Museum.
"This exhibition is a collection of 58 artworks, including four sculptures from 58 different artists, from the National Art Museum of China's collection. And they represent modern and contemporary artworks, partly reflecting back to the traditional Chinese painting and Chinese art, and partly reflecting to Western influences in art, which mostly started arriving in China after the 1970s and the 80s," said FegyvAri-Komori.
Much of the exhibition showcases traditional Chinese brushwork, where delicate strokes create intricate designs and meanings that express deep philosophical meanings, allowing viewers to experience the world from their perspective.
"The Chinese curators constructed the exhibition around these three topics and these three main aspects to approach Xieyi itself. The first one is called 'yi', which translates as meaning. This focuses on the essence of the topic. The second one is form, which in Chinese is 'xing,' and it's quite similar to meaning, but from a different approach. They are focusing on the form itself that they see, but they are not aiming at mirroring reality. The third one is called 'interest,' or in Chinese called 'qu.' And in this last part, I would say that it's a combination of the first two," said FegyvAri-Komori.
One standout piece is a sculpture that blends mythology and modern art, depicting Lao Tzu departing from the Qin Empire (221 BC to 207 BC), carrying the wisdom that shaped Taoist thought with him. The ox-head panther he rides symbolizes mysticism and the spiritual journey, adding another mythical dimension to the work.
"It expresses Xieyi very well, but at the same time, it also expresses a little bit of Western modern art, abstract art," said FegyvAri-Komori.
For many visitors, the exhibition is a chance to experience the dynamic evolution of Chinese art.
"My father had several books about Chinese art, about porcelains, ceramics, and paintings. It always struck me how different it is from our European tradition. There's a subtlety and sensitivity in it. The way they express emotions feels so unique and profound," said Daniel, a visitor.
The exhibition, part of celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Hungary and China, celebrates cultural exchange and shared appreciation for art and culture.
Contemporary Chinese art expo held in Hungary helps cultivate ties between east and west
