Zheng had just one win and three losses this season before the start of the WTA1000 Indian Wells, and suffered three straight defeats after a sloppy exit in the second round of the Australian Open, her worst start to the season since she entered the WTA Tour in full. Zheng Qinwen has been wearing an arm band to protect his right arm during training and games this season, but the absence of meritorious coach Riba has undoubtedly deprived the team of its backbone.

Zheng Qinwen only won 1 and lost 3 at the beginning of the season

Photo: Visual China

Due to hip surgery, Riba has been in the recuperation stage during the off-season and at the beginning of the season and did not accompany Zheng Qinwen on the tour. Zheng Qinwen worked briefly with Dante Bottini and Albert Costa, but the results of the cooperation did not translate into victory. This week at Indian Wells, Coach Riba's familiar face appeared on the training ground and in the player box of Zheng Qinwen, who also showed a better mental outlook and competitive form on the field, facing opponents she had never defeated before in the first two rounds, and she swept away the gloom with two wonderful victories.

Zheng Qinwen swept away the gloom on Monday

Photo: Visual China

"As a good athlete, no matter who is on the sidelines, you have to do yourself first." In the interview, when talking about Riba returning to the team, Zheng Qinwen said, "It is true that my performance in the past two months has not been the best, of course I am very happy to return to Riba, but as a player, I have to work hard, no matter who the coach is, I have to try to do my best." If my results depend on a coach not being there, then as a player I don't feel like I'm good enough. ”

Zheng Qinwen with Coach Riba

Photo: Li Jianyi

In addition to Coach Riba, Zheng Qinwen's team also has two new faces: physical trainer Gabriel Echevarria and physiotherapist Ramon Punzano Rodriguez. Originally from Argentina, Echevarria previously worked for the Sheldon team and has a unique understanding of movement and balance on clay, as well as a wealth of experience in helping players train on clay. Originally from Spain and specializing in sports physiotherapy, Rodriguez has worked with players such as Ferrero, Ferrer and Berrettini.

From left: Rodriguez, Riba and Echevarria

Pictured: Screenshot of the competition

When asked about the team's previous physical therapists and physiotherapists, Zheng Qinwen said that he did not end the cooperation with them. She gave her long-time physical therapist Shadi a vacation and adjusted her rest, while the physical trainer was unable to come to the United States because of visa issues.

Zheng Qinwen's original physical trainer and physiotherapist

Pictured: Player social media

After back-to-back victories over Azarenka and Sun Lulu, Zheng Qinwen reached the last 16 of the WTA Indian Wells Women's Singles for the first time in her career, and she will next face another difficult opponent - Kostyuk. The two previous meetings between the two sides have been in three sets, with Zheng winning at the 2023 WTA Montreal and Kostyuk having the last laugh at last year's WTA Stuttgart.

After beating Zheng Qinwen last year, Kostyuk once bombarded Zheng Qinwen in an interview for not beating any of the top 50 players on the way to the Australian Open runner-up, believing that his results were low. The controversy over these remarks has made this year's matchup even more explosive, with the match expected to take place tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Beijing time on Centre Court, so let's look forward to Zheng Qinwen's progress.