Chinese tennis sensation Zheng Qinwen is gearing up for a massive 2025 season, and she’s not taking any chances. After a disappointing Australian Open campaign, the Paris 2024 Olympic gold medalist has made a crucial change to her team—bringing in former Grand Slam champion Albert Costa to help elevate her game to new heights.
Zheng has already established herself as one of the sport’s most promising young stars, but after a rough start to the year, she’s making it clear: she’s coming for the top.
Zheng Qinwen’s Rise: A Star in the Making
From the moment she picked up a racket at age six, Zheng Qinwen has been on a trajectory toward greatness.
- WTA Newcomer of the Year (2022) 🏆
- WTA Most Improved Player (2023) 📈
- Grand Slam Finalist (2024 Australian Open) 🎾
- Olympic Gold Medalist (Paris 2024) 🇨🇳🏅
Her stunning victory over World No.1 Iga Swiatek at the Paris Olympics proved that she has the firepower to take down the very best. But consistency has been her biggest hurdle, and after a rough start in Melbourne this year, she’s determined to fix that.
Australian Open Setback: ‘My Body Wasn’t Ready’
Zheng’s 2025 Australian Open campaign was far from ideal, and she didn’t shy away from admitting it. After struggling with physical issues following the WTA Finals, she revealed that even her team advised against competing in Melbourne—but she insisted on playing.
“For me, there was no chance to play a tournament before the Australian Open because the time was so rushed,” she explained. “I got some small issues after the WTA Finals. I discussed with my team whether or not we have to come to the Australian Open. My team said no. I’ve got to come here and try to play a Slam.”
Zheng battled through her matches but lacked her usual sharpness.
“I had a lot of chances to break her in the first set, but maybe my concentration wasn’t there,” she admitted. “I made mistakes in those moments. It was a bit tricky for me. But yeah, it’s tennis. Nothing more.”
Now, she’s taking action to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Enter Albert Costa: A Coaching Shake-Up for a Championship Push
Zheng has spent much of her career training in Barcelona under Pere Riba, but as he recovers from hip surgery, she’s turning to Albert Costa, a former French Open champion and ex-coach of Kei Nishikori.
Costa’s experience at the highest level could be exactly what Zheng needs to turn raw potential into a consistent title-winning force.
“He always has a lot of passion for tennis. This is important,” Zheng previously said of her coaching staff. “There are a few coaches on tour who love tennis, who want their players to become the best, and who want their players to improve every single day.”
Costa’s expertise in clay-court tactics and mental toughness could be a game-changer as Zheng looks to make waves in the European clay swing and beyond.
What’s Next for Zheng Qinwen in 2025?
With a fresh coaching perspective, renewed focus, and no lingering injuries, Zheng is poised for a big season.
- Clay season return – Likely to debut under Costa’s guidance at Stuttgart or Madrid
- Chasing a second Grand Slam final – After her Australian Open run in 2024, she’ll be a serious French Open contender
- WTA Top 5 ambition – With her powerful game and big-match mentality, breaking into the elite ranks is very much on the table
If 2024 was about proving she belongs among the elite, 2025 could be the year Zheng Qinwen starts collecting major titles.
The talent is undeniable. Now, with the right coaching and experience, the breakthrough moment might just be around the corner.
