The Berlin Tennis Open faced backlash from tennis fans after Wang Xinyu received an unusual memento for her runner-up finish at the tournament. On her way to the final, the Chinese defeated top players like Coco Gauff and Paula Badosa, among others.
Wang earned her spot in the main draw of the WTA 500 grass court event in Berlin by successfully navigating the qualifying rounds. She secured victories against Talia Gibson, winning 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5, and Ons Jabeur, with a score of 6-1, 3-6, 6-0, to advance to the main draw.
Wang Xinyu Receiving a Necklace Instead of a Runner-Up Trophy at Berlin Tennis Open Disappoints Fans
In the main draw of the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open, Wang began her campaign by defeating Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 6-2, and second seed Gauff 6-3, 6-3 in the first and second rounds, respectively. In the quarterfinals, she overcame eighth seed Paula Badosa 6-1, 0-0 retd. and then secured her place in the final with a decisive 6-4, 6-1 win over Liudmila Samsonova in the semifinals.
In the championship match, Wang went up against Markéta Vondroušová, finishing as the runner-up after losing to the former Wimbledon champion with a scoreline of 7-6(10), 4-6, 6-2.
While Vondroušová received a trophy shaped like an elephant for her victory, Wang was presented only with flowers and a necklace for her runner-up finish.
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This disparity did not sit well with tennis fans, who took to social media to voice their discontent with the WTA 500 tournament organizers. One fan expressed their surprise and disappointment at the lack of a runner-up trophy for Wang.
“Xinyu: Me and my trophy picture SO SHE DIDNT GET A RUNNER UP TROPHY???? BERLIN WHEN I GET YOU,” a fan posted.
Xinyu: Me and my trophy picture
SO SHE DIDNT GET A RUNNER UP TROPHY???? BERLIN WHEN I GET YOU pic.twitter.com/wNzZibDigS
— moonball enthusiast (@ninjaga20) June 23, 2025
While another mentioned that there is a need for a consistent standard regarding trophy awards at sporting events.
“There needs to be a standard on your for what’s acceptable when it comes to these trophies. What’s she supposed to do with this tiny toyish necklace?” a fan wrote.
There needs to be a standard on your for what’s acceptable when it comes to these trophies. What’s she supposed to do with this tiny toyish necklace?
— goatedwta over atp (@goatedwtaatp) June 23, 2025
“yeah she only got flowers and a necklace lol,” a fan posted.
yeah she only got flowers and a necklace lol
— Asher | Grass season 🌱 (@oneslamwonder) June 23, 2025
“Xinyu cooked Berlin. Even a teddy bear toy will be better😭,” a fan wrote.
Xinyu cooked Berlin
Even a teddy bear toy will be better😭 https://t.co/oEKVr9SReK— asteroid (@lightthelight_7) June 23, 2025
Where Will Wang Xinyu Compete Next?
Following the conclusion of her campaign at the 2025 Berlin Tennis Open, Wang is set to compete next at the 2025 Bad Homburg Open. This WTA 500 grass court tournament will take place from Jun. 23 to Jun. 29, 2025, at the TC Bad Homburg in Bad Homburg, Germany.
Originally scheduled to participate in both the singles and doubles events, Wang has withdrawn from the singles competition. She was slated to face Beatriz Haddad Maia in the first round; however, with her withdrawal, lucky loser Ashlyn Krueger will take her place in the singles main draw.
In the doubles event, Wang has teamed up with her compatriot Zheng Saisai. The duo will face another Chinese pair, Xu Yifan and Yang Zhaoxuan, in the first round. The winner of this first-round encounter will advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet either the top-seeded team of Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe or the duo of Jiang Xinyu and Wu Fang-hsien.
Following her participation at the Bad Homburg Open, Wang will head to the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, which is scheduled to take place from Jun. 30 to Jul. 13, 2025, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London.
Wang’s best performance at the London Major came in 2024 when she defeated Viktoriya Tomova, Jessica Pegula, and Harriet Dart before being eliminated by Elina Svitolina in the fourth round.
