Tokyo champion Zheng Qinwen gears up for debut at WTA Finals: "All the players are really tough to beat”
WTA
Zheng
Qinwen sets sights high for the WTA Finals after Pan Pacific Open title. The
22-year-old seems to be the most in-form player at the end of the season –
alongside world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka – and is brimming with confidence after
securing her 28th win in her last 32 matches.
Zheng has
shown consistent progress since her start on the Tour. In 2022, she entered the
top 100 for the first time and finished the year among the top 100 players. The
following year, she broke into the top 15, and after a remarkable start to the
2024 season – finishing as runner-up in the Australian Open – she climbed to
the top 10, where she's remained all season.
In top form: Zheng Qinwen ready for WTA Finals
At just 22,
she already won an Olympic gold medal and is in the best season of her career.
She claimed titles at the Palermo Open and, most recently, at Tokyo, on Sunday,
October 27. "I really appreciate that I’m able to fight through and be the
champion in Tokyo. This is the one I wanted to get when I was 19 years old. I
fought so hard, but I didn’t; I lost in the [2022] final. So this year, I’m
just really happy."
Zheng also
reached the final in Wuhan, the semifinals in the China Open, and the
quarterfinals at the US Open among her notable achievements. Zheng qualified in
the seventh position for the WTA Finals, even though until a few weeks ago, it
seemed more likely that Emma Navarro would take that spot.
The young
star will be one of two debutants in Riyadh, along with Italy's Jasmine
Paolini, while the rest of the lineup already has experience in the tournament
that gathers the top eight players of the season. 'Queen Wen' previewed her
participation in the event.
"All
the players [in Riyadh] are really tough to beat. From the first match, [I]
need to be focused. It’s the first time for me to play in the WTA Finals. I was
so motivated. But let’s see what’s going to happen," she added.
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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