Hey everyone, it’s Mia Johnson-Carter here from Miami. I’m super excited to share some news about Zheng Qinwen, a Chinese tennis star who recently made headlines in Beijing. As a young tennis player myself, I always love hearing about the challenges and triumphs of my fellow athletes.
Zheng Qinwen was on a mission to win her maiden WTA 1000 title in front of her fans at the Beijing tournament. However, things didn’t go as planned. In her semifinal match against Karolina Muchova, Zheng suffered a nasty fall that left her sprawled on the court and requiring medical intervention. The incident occurred in the sixth game of the first set when Muchova earned the first break point of the match. Despite the fall, Muchova went on to complete a straight-set victory with scores of 6-3 and 6-4.
Zheng was honest with Chinese reporters about what happened. She explained that she wasn’t mentally sharp or focused enough due to lack of sleep. This lack of rest significantly impacted her performance, leading to the fall. Zheng admitted feeling pain and bruises on her palms as well as blood on her fingers and left butt. The incident was a clear indication of how crucial mental and physical preparation are in high-level tennis competitions.
“I know exactly why I fell, because I wasn’t focused enough. I was too tired. Mentality-wise I wasn’t focused, so I fell. Of course I felt the pain. Bruises on my palms as well as blood on my fingers, my left butt. I wasn’t able to run. But the most important thing is I wasn’t feeling mentally strong. I wasn’t sleeping enough to be ready for this match,” she explained during her press conference.
Despite the setback, Zheng remains positive about her recent performance in Beijing. She acknowledged that she could have done better if she had more rest and concentration. This experience has taught her valuable lessons about balancing physical and mental preparation for future tournaments.
Zheng is now gearing up for another important WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, which is her hometown. She is eager to perform well there but emphasizes that she needs full rest to deliver her best tennis. This upcoming event is crucial for her as it could further solidify her position in the Race to the WTA Finals list.
“Of course, one match after another… I would focus on my health, my mentality. I want full rest. I need to be 100% prepared for the Wuhan Open. I want to perform my best there,” the home favorite highlighted.
Before the start of Beijing, Zheng was ninth on the Race to the WTA Finals list. Her semifinal run in China’s capital has improved her ranking to No. 8. If she makes a similar run in Wuhan, she will further solidify her position and potentially secure a ticket to the prestigious season-ending tournament.
“It’s really funny I made the final of the Australian Open but after that I didn’t take some tournaments seriously and didn’t get enough points. Judging from the points I have, it’s difficult for me to make the finals this year. I even complained to the team for not telling me earlier about the qualification of the WTA Finals. Now I feel the pressure but I cannot do anything. All I can do is give my best in the competitions,” Zheng said in Beijing.
Zheng Qinwen’s journey is a testament to perseverance and dedication in the world of professional tennis. Her commitment to improving both physically and mentally will undoubtedly serve her well as she continues to compete at the highest levels.
If you want, you can check out the news where I found it here.
Yours truly,
Mia