Iga Swiatek has been on an incredible winning streak this year. But Chinese star Zheng Qinwen won the first set in a tiebreak in her fourth round match against Swiatek. But pain from menstrual cramps crippled Qinwen, who lost the final two sets 6-0 and 6-2. Despite the loss, it was a great French Open for the rising Chinese tennis star.

Speaking about her menstrual during the post-match press conference, Qinwen said:

It’s just girls’ things, you know. The first day is always so tough and then I have to do sport and I always have so much pain in the first day. And I couldn’t go against my nature.

I wish I can be a man on court, but I cannot in that moment…I really wish I can be a man so that I don’t have to suffer from this.

Though menstrual pain is common, very few female tennis players openly discuss the issue. It’s refreshing to see Qinwen addressing the issue openly.  Recently, golfer Lydia Ko, who is ranked world number 3, also discussed the challenges of playing during her period.