Riba's Interview: She must aim for world number one and Grand Slam titles, significant progress has boosted her confidence.

Even though China's top player is still resting and actively recovering her training, an earlier interview with Zheng Qinwen's coach, Pere Riba, from June has resurfaced, revealing the immense expectations and unwavering confidence of her team in her abilities.

“When I first met her, she was 18 years old, ranked 180, still a junior player,” Pere Riba recalls his initial encounter with Zheng Qinwen, his tone still filled with amazement. This Spanish coach's collaboration with the Chinese star has seen a journey from obscurity to Olympic champion, from a split to a reunion, and from a world ranking of 200 to breaking into the top four, forming a relationship that is both mentor and friend, becoming a significant part of each other's lives.

Pere Riba revealed that becoming Zheng Qinwen's coach was not easy from the start, as she had already carried a heavy burden of pressure and expectations that were hard for outsiders to imagine. In October 2019, when he began working with Zheng, who was not yet well-known, she was still competing in ITF events with a total prize money of only $25,000.

He admitted that his first impression of Zheng Qinwen was extremely deep. He recalled the scene from their first meeting: "I told her to train at 7 AM, and after several days of continuous training, I thought she would complain about fatigue, but instead, I had to stop her from overtraining." This rare professional attitude convinced him that this young Chinese player was destined to become a top contender.

However, their mentor-mentee relationship faced a turning point in 2023. Pere Riba was forced to leave due to strong interference from Zheng Qinwen's father, losing a pre-French Open betting agreement, and afterwards, he chose to coach Coco Gauff, helping the American star win the US Open. Subsequently, Zheng briefly collaborated with renowned coach Fissette, but the latter unilaterally ended their relationship after the US Open to join Naomi Osaka's team. During their separation, Zheng's mother had health issues, so when Zheng's team contacted him after the season ended, he was at home supporting his mother.

He still felt happy about the invitation from China's top player, as in his heart, Zheng Qinwen was like a child he had nurtured; that bond was hard to let go. "I was delighted that she reached out to me again and hoped to continue our collaboration," Pere Riba told reporters.

Accepting Zheng Qinwen meant facing a harsh reality: after winning the Zhengzhou Tennis Open at the end of the year, Zheng was eager to make her skills more comprehensive, which was also the core development path that Pere Riba had always set for her. Riba elaborated on this philosophy: "Players must maintain a learning mindset. She is only 22 years old, and there is a lot of room for improvement. Whether it’s filling gaps or refining existing skills, now is the time."

Riba's training methods are filled with wisdom. Faced with the challenge of arranging specialized training during the season, he explained: "The winter training period is the best window. But even during the season, we must cleverly utilize training modules. We set goals for daily practices to avoid mechanical hitting; each action must have a clear tactical intention."

Net play and drop shots have become key breakthrough areas for 2025. "She is now coming to the net more, using drop shots, and creating more space on the court, and her serve has also improved significantly," Riba felt surprised seeing these changes on the court.

After achieving the runner-up position at the 2024 Australian Open, winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, finishing as runner-up at the Wuhan Tennis Championships, and securing the runner-up spot at the Riyadh Year-End Finals, Riba set a clear ultimate goal for his disciple—world number one and Grand Slam champion.

“In my opinion, she must aim for world number one and winning Grand Slams; this should be her goal. However, if you want to win these events and reach the top, this process requires improvements. I watch her matches every year, and she keeps getting better. If you look at her efforts over the years, you will find that she improves every year compared to the last. I have great confidence in her,” Pere Riba stated.

After finishing as runner-up at the 2024 Australian Open, Riba was not overly disheartened; instead, he saw the value in the defeat, admitting: "In that final, we had no chance, but this loss forged the Olympic gold medal; all losses ultimately become the nutrients for your next victory."

However, there are times when the two have disagreements on the court, but he admits that this has become a special part of their mentor-mentee relationship. Pere Riba said, "Disagreements on the court are normal; the key is that we share the same goal: how to make her better." Zheng Qinwen once mentioned in an interview that she views these conflicts as positive elements: "When you argue with the team, you are actually sharing different opinions or perspectives. I mean, that's a good thing."

After several separations and reunions, their relationship has become more solid. Riba particularly appreciates Zheng Qinwen's rare quality: "She always remains humble—this is her most precious quality."

Finally, when asked about his confidence in Zheng Qinwen achieving these goals, Pere Riba smiled, "Of course! I have absolute confidence in her; otherwise, I wouldn't be sitting here!" How far are the goals of world number one and Grand Slam titles? We don't know, as miracles come from daily improvements, but it is certain that Zheng Qinwen and her team are working hard towards this goal. Will she succeed? Can she make a comeback? Let's wait and see!(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)