Zheng Qinwen makes history--and a little music

Zheng Qinwen overpowers Mirra Andreeva to win China Open reut.rs/3UmZf9o

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— Reuters (@reuters.com) October 11, 2026 at 9:00 AM

Zheng Qinwen made her WTA Tour debut in 2021, and the next year, she broke into the top 100, reached the round of 16 at Roland-Garros, and was named WTA Newcomer of the Year. In 2023, Zheng entered the top 20 and won her first WTA title, in Palermo. She also reached the quaerterfinals of the U.S. Open, and the final of the WTA Elite Trophy event.

It was clear that the young Chinese player was a star on the rise, but just how clear it was became obvious in 2024 when Zheng reached the final of the Australian Open. She was defeated in that final by defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, but she would go on to on to win gold at the Paris Olympic Games, and to reach the quarterfinals at the U.S. Open again.

In 2025, Zheng achieved a ranking of number 4 in the world. That summer, she announced that she had experienced chronic pain in her right elbow for months, and that she had undergone surgery for the problem. She made a brief comeback that fall, but the elbow bothered her again, so she took some more time off in order to heal. When she returned to the tour in early 2026, her progress was steady, and she again reached the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open. Her U.S. Open run was dramatic: She defeated Madison Keys in the third round after going down 0-5 in the third set. Following that run, Zheng re-entered the top 100.

There was more drama to come. Yesterday, Zheng became the first Chinese player to win the China Open, a WTA1000 event, and Zheng's first 1000-level title. To add to the drama, she defeated Roland-Garros champion Mirra Andreeva in straight sets in the final. As of today, Zheng is ranked number 23 in the world.  

It's especially frustrating to see a young star on the rise (Garbine Muguruza comes to mind) have a significant injury setback. But Zheng did what she had to do to take care of herself, and to practice and train and play her way back to the upper level of the game--and that even included performing some karaoke at the conclusion of the trophy ceremony.