Zheng Qinwen, the rising star and Olympic champion from China, is gearing up for a strong performance at the upcoming French Open, seeking to replicate her success on the red clay of Roland Garros. Leading her country’s tennis contingent, Zheng’s ambitions are high, especially with her recent triumphs bolstering her confidence.
As the world No. 8 and one of the tournament favorites, Zheng acknowledges the unique challenges that come with the French Open compared to her Olympic victory. “The Olympic Games were one week, while the French Open is two weeks, so you need to prepare your body for a longer time and win seven matches in a row,” she explained during her pre-tournament remarks. Last year, she faced an early exit, being defeated by Elina Avanesyan in the third round, but she is determined to improve her performance this year.
Recent achievements, including her quarterfinal victory over Aryna Sabalenka at the Rome Open—where she overcame a six-match losing streak against her rival—have fueled her optimism. Reflecting on her past experiences at Roland Garros, Zheng has a deep appreciation for the tournament, noting it as the setting of her first Grand Slam round-of-16 advancement in 2022.
The competition this year is fierce, with top contenders like Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Rome Open champion Jasmine Paolini. Zheng is aware of the formidable task ahead but embraces the challenge presented by the clay surface, which requires resilience and adaptability. “It’s not easy to finish a point on this surface. Everybody has to fight so hard, which makes tennis on clay more interesting,” she remarked, indicating her readiness to face anyone in the draw.
While Zheng is the standout from the Chinese contingent, she is joined in the main draw by Wang Xinyu, ranked No. 42, and Yuan Yue, who qualified as a substitute. With the spirit of determination and hope, Zheng’s journey at the French Open promises to be an exciting narrative as she looks to carve her name among the champions.