Qinwen Zheng’s recent performances have ignited a firestorm of grit and determination, as she fearlessly navigates the tennis world with unyielding passion. After a tough Australian Open exit in the second round against Laura Siegemund and first-round losses in the Middle East swing, Zheng clawed her way back. Her victories at Indian Wells, where she reached the quarters, showcased her unrelenting drive, leaving fans and opponents in awe. What’s pushing her towards even greater heights?
The Miami Open 2025 is shaping up to be exciting, with Zheng Qinwen impressing on the court. On March 20, she defeated American Lauren Davis in a gripping second-round match, winning decisively with a score of 6-1, 7-5. In the post-match interview, Zheng revealed how Pere Riba keeps her on her toes!
When asked how bringing Riba back helped her overcome her dry spell, she said, “I think the thing I missed the most is that he always pushes me hard on court. He doesn’t allow me to get relaxed. That’s why I can keep going forward. When he wasn’t there for those 3 months, I had trouble with my body…I wasn’t able to practice 100%. Now it seems like I’m going in a good direction.”
Qinwen Zheng spoke about her coach Pere Riba being back on tour with her after her win over Davis in Miami
“At the start of the year your coach had surgery. He wasn’t with you. He’s now back. What did you miss most about him?”
Qinwen: “I think the thing I missed the most is… pic.twitter.com/UGjP1WrCNb
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 20, 2025
Qinwen Zheng and Pere Riba’s partnership is the stuff of tennis legend. They first teamed up in 2021, and their collaboration was nothing short of magic. However, they took a brief hiatus in the summer of 2023, during which Riba coached Coco Gauff, helping her achieve a stunning late-season run. By December 2023, Zheng and Riba were back together, ready to take on the world. Under Riba’s guidance, Zheng reached her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and claimed Olympic gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2025 season hasn’t been smooth sailing for Zheng. Riba’s hip surgery at the start of the year left him sidelined, and she navigated the courts without her trusted coach. Complicating matters, Zheng has been practicing with an elbow sleeve on her right arm, which might be affecting her serve. Despite these challenges, Zheng remains undeterred. Reflecting on her rollercoaster 2024 season, she’s shown remarkable resilience.
Qinwen Zheng weighs in on her turbulent 2024 season.
The Chinese player was undoubtedly one of the stars of women’s tennis in 2024, with a year marked by both triumph and turmoil. She reached the finals of the Australian Open and the WTA Finals, and her crowning achievement was winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris. However, 2025 hasn’t quite lived up to her expectations yet, with her best result being a quarterfinal finish at Indian Wells.
In a recent press conference, Qinwen Zheng reflected on her rollercoaster 2024 season, as reported by Puntodebreak on Thursday. She noted, “I would say my 2024 had many ups and downs, good and bad moments. There are many things to learn from. Obviously, the Riyadh final was also very good for me, but I could have done better in the final.” Zheng reached the final of the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh, where she ultimately lost to Coco Gauff in a thrilling three-set match. Taking that as a win, she added, “There were many important points in the year where I didn’t reach my level, but that’s the nature of tennis. Yet, I would say my 2024 was a pretty good year.”
Overall, her performance has been marked by both significant ups and downs. In 2024, she reached the Australian Open final, won Olympic gold, and finished as the runner-up at the WTA Finals. She emphasized the importance of dedication and consistency, saying, “If you’re not a hundred percent physically, sometimes it’s difficult. When you can’t spend time on the court, there’s always someone who will practice more than you, someone who wants it more than you. It’s simply about trying to be dedicated. Focus on your practice all the time, no matter the result you have.”
Now as Qinwen moves into the round of 32 at the Miami Open, she’s set to face either Taylor Townsend or the 19th seed Yulia Putintseva. Will she make a deeper run in Miami? We’d love to hear your thoughts!
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