Zheng Qinwen was asked to choose between becoming a Grand Slam champion and reaching world No. 1, and the former world No. 4 had no doubts about her answer. The Chinese star was presented with the choice during her post-match press conference at the China Open, where she is continuing her push back up the rankings.
Zheng has advanced to the round of 32 in Beijing after consecutive victories over Shi Han and Anna Kalinskaya. She defeated Shi 7-6, 4-6, 6-2 before progressing against Kalinskaya, who retired while trailing 6-7, 6-4, 3-0.
The Chinese star will now face 18th seed Marie Bouzkova as she looks to continue her run on home soil. Zheng has already secured her return to the top 50 once the China Open concludes, but her ranking ambitions could go considerably further during the final weeks of the season.
The choice is particularly interesting given how close Zheng has already come to both milestones. She has reached a Grand Slam final, climbed as high as No. 4 in the world and won Olympic gold, but she has never lifted a major trophy or occupied the top position in the WTA rankings.
Zheng still chasing the biggest title of her career
Zheng's closest opportunity to winning a Grand Slam came at the 2024 Australian Open. She defeated Ashlyn Krueger, Katie Boulter, Wang Yafan, Oceane Dodin, Anna Kalinskaya and Dayana Yastremska before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
That same season established Zheng as one of the leading players in women's tennis. She won Olympic gold in Paris, reached a career-high No. 4 ranking and appeared to have positioned herself for a sustained challenge near the top of the game.
An injury-hit 2025 campaign interrupted that progress, but Zheng has shown renewed signs of her best level this year. Her US Open run was particularly impressive, as she recovered from 5-0 down in the deciding set to defeat Madison Keys before overcoming Iga Swiatek in the fourth round. Her run eventually ended against eventual champion Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals.
Now Zheng has another opportunity to build momentum in Beijing. After her latest victory, she was asked whether she would rather win a Grand Slam or become world No. 1.
“There is no doubt for me, always a Grand Slam, because that’s been a dream since I was a kid," Zheng said in press conference. "When I was young, I never thought about being world number one. But I guess these things come together."
Zheng has top-30 target in sight
The ranking is still an important part of Zheng's immediate ambitions. She is currently No. 43 in the WTA Race, meaning a strong finish to the season could quickly move her towards the top 30.
That could also improve her position ahead of the Australian Open. Zheng has already shown in Melbourne that she can make a deep Grand Slam run, and entering the tournament with a significantly higher ranking would give her a better position in the draw.
Her physical condition is another factor to monitor. Zheng said she has been dealing with a cold since the US Open and continues to cough, while also experiencing problems with her nose when temperatures fall.
“My physical condition starting from the US Open, I’ve had this cold. I’ve been coughing, which hasn’t recovered yet. I’ve been using tissues because when the temperature falls, my nose runs, and I need to use tissues. This is something to do with the inflammation of the nose,” she said.
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For now, Zheng's priority is extending her China Open run. A return to the top 50 is already guaranteed, while the top 30 remains within reach, but her ultimate target is clear. The ranking may come with sustained success, yet the Grand Slam title remains the achievement she has wanted most since childhood.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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