Victory returns after 88 days! Zheng Qinwen reveals how much she misses her fans and admits there is still a slight pain when playing.

27/09/2025 23:40:00 sport

Eighty-eight days following elbow surgery, Zheng Qinwen declared her return with a sharp victory, and the audience’s heartfelt shouts of “We missed you” after the match became the most touching scene at the China Open.

Just moments ago, in the second round of the 2025 China Open women’s singles, Zheng Qinwen defeated world No. 50 Colombian Arango 6-3, 6-2, achieving a winning start in her comeback. This victory not only secured her a spot in the last 32 but also announced to the global tennis community that the powerful Chinese female star is back.

At the beginning of the match, Zheng Qinwen quickly found her rhythm. She broke serve in the 2nd and 4th games consecutively, rapidly taking a 4-1 lead. Although Arango served steadily, she was completely dominated by Zheng in baseline rallies. After two breaks of serve in the first set, Zheng took the lead 6-3.

Zheng displayed an aggressive attacking mindset throughout the match. In the first set alone, she hit 17 winners compared to her opponent’s single winner. Moreover, the Chinese star’s net play was impressive, scoring several points at the net. Despite some fluctuations, including being broken three times, Zheng immediately broke back each time, demonstrating her trademark resilience under pressure.

In the second set, Zheng Qinwen maintained control of the match’s tempo. She sealed the victory with a 6-2 set, showcasing her strength as a leading figure in Chinese women’s tennis.

Zheng’s tactical execution was very clear in this match. She fired 31 winners overall, while Arango managed only 6. Particularly in the first set, Zheng’s second-serve point-winning rate exceeded 60%, and Arango scored zero points on her second serve.

Although Zheng’s performance fluctuated somewhat, this was her first official match in over two months. She said after the match, “I think overall I played well, but there were some ups and downs. It’s been nearly two months since I last played a real match, so I’m very happy with today’s win. Seeing so many people come to support me, I feel my decision to return despite a little pain was the right one!”

When further discussing her recovery, she stated, “After surgery, it took many days to realize that the last 10%, 5% of recovery is the hardest. At first, my recovery was very fast, but later it slowed down. However, I believe that with more matches, everything will continue to improve.”

In this match, Zheng approached the net 21 times and scored 18 points, achieving an 86% success rate at the net. This proactive net strategy demonstrated her command of the match and indicated that her elbow injury no longer hinders her ability to perform various strokes.

“I want to ask everyone, after more than two months apart, do you miss me?” At the Diamond Court after the match, Zheng Qinwen greeted the stands. “Yes!” came the deafening response from all directions. The Chinese star smiled and nodded, her eyes slightly moist.

Zheng Qinwen’s right elbow injury has been a tough battle lasting seven months. The problem first appeared after the 2024 WTA Finals. During winter training, Zheng frequently felt discomfort in her elbow, and her team initially opted for conservative treatments such as elbow braces and bandages.

In the 2025 season, Zheng actually competed while injured. During the Australian Open, the elbow issue began to affect her performance. In the second round against 36-year-old veteran Sigmund, inconsistent serving led to an upset loss, with 5 double faults and visibly altered serving motion revealing her physical struggles.

The clay court season was even tougher. At the Charleston tournament, after a 1-6 loss in the first set, her elbow pain flared up severely. She requested multiple medical timeouts in the second set and called the physiotherapist on court three times.

After Wimbledon, Zheng was unable to complete a full serving motion in training, and conservative treatments failed completely. She ultimately decided to have surgery, withdrawing from major events like the US Open and ending her streak of attending every Grand Slam since the 2022 Australian Open.

For Zheng Qinwen, the China season represents “a chance to restart and begin anew.” Before the China Open, at the “China Tennis Night,” she said, “The China season is the journey I look forward to every year — playing on home soil and hearing the crowd cheer for me in Chinese. This sense of belonging cannot be replaced by any honor.”

Seeded 7th at the 2025 China Open, Zheng was placed in a highly competitive top half of the draw. This comeback win is hugely significant, not only securing her place in the last 32 but also boosting her confidence. In the next round, she will face 26th seed and Czech rising star Noskova, who recently defeated Chinese player Wang Xiyu 6-3, 6-2.

The match between Zheng Qinwen and Noskova will be a youthful showdown. Both young players possess powerful offensive games, and this encounter will test Zheng’s true form since her return.

Fans have expressed their support on social media. One wrote, “Seeing Zheng Qinwen back on court is the greatest joy; winning or losing becomes secondary to health.” Another commented, “The ‘Boss Zheng’ aura is back; looking forward to her regaining peak form step by step.”