The world of tennis has recently witnessed a resurgence in the career of Qinwen Zheng, fueled by grit, tenacity, and an indomitable drive to succeed. Despite a disappointing exit in the second round of the Australian Open and initial losses in the Middle East swing, Zheng rebounded impressively. Her tenacity was on full display at Indian Wells where she battled her way to the quarterfinals, a performance that left spectators and opponents equally astounded. The question on everyone’s lips is: What’s fueling this resurgence?
Zheng’s performance at the Miami Open 2025 has been nothing short of exceptional, further cementing her as a force to be reckoned with on the court. On March 20, she triumphed over American contender Lauren Davis in a thrilling second-round match with a convincing scoreline of 6-1, 7-5. In a revealing post-match interview, Zheng accredited her resurgence to her coach, Pere Riba, and his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Zheng openly discussed how Riba’s return to her side was instrumental in overcoming a challenging period in her career. “Pere’s uncompromising approach and refusal to let me take it easy on the court is what propels me forward,” she stated. “During his absence of three months, I struggled with physical issues and was unable to train at full capacity. However, his return seems to have steered me back on the right track.”
The Zheng-Riba partnership has been a key talking point in tennis circles since they first joined forces in 2021. Their collaboration has been likened to a symphony of perfect harmony. Despite a brief separation in the summer of 2023, during which Riba coached Coco Gauff, by December 2023, the dynamic duo was back in action. Under Riba’s tutelage, Zheng made it to her first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open and clinched the gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2025 season has not been without its trials for Zheng. Riba’s hip surgery at the beginning of the year left Zheng without her trusted coach and mentor. Furthermore, Zheng’s training has been hindered by an elbow sleeve on her right arm, potentially affecting her serve. However, she remains undaunted in the face of these challenges, demonstrating a resilience that reflects her triumphant 2024 season.
Zheng was a standout player in women’s tennis in 2024, a year marked by both triumphant peaks and challenging troughs. She made it to the finals of both the Australian Open and the WTA Finals, and her crowning glory was undoubtedly her Olympic gold medal win in Paris. 2025, however, has yet to replicate this level of success, with her best finish so far being a quarterfinal appearance at Indian Wells.
Reflecting on her 2024 performance at a recent press conference, Zheng acknowledged, “My 2024 season was a rollercoaster ride, with its fair share of highs and lows. There are many lessons to be learned. Although the Riyadh final was a highlight, I could have performed better in the final.” Despite losing the thrilling three-set match at the 2024 WTA Finals in Riyadh to Coco Gauff, Zheng considers this a victory in itself, illustrating the nature of the game and her outlook towards it.
Zheng’s career, marked by significant highs and lows, emphasizes the importance of commitment and consistency. She believes, “Physical fitness is crucial, and if you can’t put in the time on the court, there will always be someone who is practicing harder, wanting it more. Dedication is key. You must focus on your practice, regardless of the outcome.”
As Zheng progresses to the round of 32 at the Miami Open, she is set to face either Taylor Townsend or 19th seed Yulia Putintseva. Will her rejuvenated game guide her to greater success in Miami? Share your thoughts with us!
