World No. 5 Zheng Qinwen from China concluded her competition at the Queen’s Club Championships after a hard-fought semifinal against Amanda Anisimova of the United States, where she lost with scores of 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. The match took place on June 14, 2025, in London.
Despite moments of brilliance, Zheng struggled with her form and faced difficulties with her serve, contributing to several unforced errors throughout the match. Notably, she managed to level the match in the second set as Anisimova encountered her own issues with serving. However, it wasn’t enough to clinch the victory for Zheng.
After the match, Zheng revealed that her footwear issues significantly impacted her performance. “I couldn’t concentrate on playing but was worried about my shoes,” she disclosed, explaining that she had changed her shoes in the sixth game of the deciding set after discovering that the sole had become unglued—a problem she only realized during the third set. Zheng had been wearing shoes that were kept unused for several years from her junior days, and she did not receive a timely replacement from her sponsor.
This footwear dilemma had already caused Zheng problems in her quarterfinal match against Emma Raducanu. After slipping multiple times during that match, she took a timeout to switch to a different pair of shoes. Reflecting on her experiences, Zheng acknowledged the importance of preparation and details, expressing hope that she would avoid similar issues in the future.
Anisimova will advance to face Germany’s Tatjana Maria in the finals, after Maria defeated Australian Open champion Madison Keys. The upcoming matchup promises excitement, as Maria, a mother of two, continues to defy expectations in her career.
Zheng’s experience serves as a reminder of the critical role equipment plays in sports and the challenges athletes face, reinforcing the notion that meticulous preparation can significantly impact performance on the field.