Zheng Qinwen adds Albert Costa to coaching team after Australian Open disappointment
WTA
Zheng Qinwen has quickly become a main fixture on the professional circuit, achieving a lot in her career so far. However, she is coming off a disappointing performance at the Australian Open, which has led to a new coaching addition
. The Chinese star has now brought former Grand Slam champion Albert Costa onto her team as she looks to get back to her best.
The career of Zheng Qinwen
Since playing tennis at the age of six, Qinwen has accomplished a lot in the sport. She was named WTA Newcomer of the Year in 2022 and WTA Most Improved Player in 2023. In 2024, she reached her first Grand Slam final in Melbourne, proving her potential to become a star in the game.
The most significant moment of her career came at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, where she won the gold medal for her country, defeating Iga Swiatek. Qinwen is an up-and-coming talent, and many expect her to become a formidable force very soon.
She had a difficult time at the Australian Open this year and spoke about her struggles after the tournament.
"For me, there was no chance to play a tournament before the Australian Open because the time was so rushed," said Qinwen.
"I got some small issues after the WTA Finals. I discussed with my team whether or not we have to come to the Australian Open.
"I'm the one forcing (them). My team said no. I've got to come here and try to play a slam. That's the tricky situation. There are issues in my body that haven't been solved yet."
Qinwen felt she had opportunities to perform better but admitted her concentration wasn't at its best:
"I had a lot of chances to break her in the first set, but in that moment, maybe my concentration wasn't there," said Qinwen.
"I made mistakes in those moments. It was a bit tricky for me in the first set, a tricky way to lose it because I didn't perform well enough."
"At the same time, I felt she was playing good today. Yeah, it's tennis. Nothing more."
A new coach
Throughout her career, Qinwen has trained in Barcelona under Pere Riba, but as he continues to recover from hip surgery, Albert Costa has joined her coaching team. Costa is known for his work with Kei Nishikori and will look to provide a similar level of success with Qinwen.
Qinwen has spoken highly of Riba in the past, praising his dedication and passion for the game.
"He always has a lot of passion for tennis. This is important," the 2024 Paris Olympic gold medalist said at the WTA Finals.
"He wants to be a good coach. Not so many coaches on tour have this type of passion. Many coaches just consider this as a high-priced job.
"But there are a few coaches on tour; they love tennis, they want their players to become the best, and they want their players to improve every single day. I think he's this type of coach."
Qinwen is a phenomenal talent, and seeing what 2025 has in store for her will be interesting.
Zheng Qinwen has arrived Doha and she will work with Albert Costa, the 2002 French Open champion, for the tournaments in Doha and Dubai.
— Bendou Zhang🎾 (@BendouZhang) February 7, 2025
Pere Riba is still recovering from surgery. pic.twitter.com/TcRrw9Z2po
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Sueiyin04-02-2025 - "If Novak did this, he would be defaulted for life. WTF." 🤣 WTF sounds like What Tennis Fury?! What Tennis Flurry??! I mean, se-rious-ly, it was actually the unfairness of the silly umpire's decision that is the issue here! Further, how come it was Gurin & his team who got disqualified? If this kind of thing happens in soccer, it would be the other guy getting the yellow or red card! Because after all, it was the Belgian who's foul it was so why then penalize the opponents for something they didn't instigate? Fouls in both basketball and soccer are read as a hinderance that has been caused by the player who INITIALLY instigated the hinderance. In this case, okay, it is tennis, but while the precise rules are different to either soccer or basketball, the same type of recognition as to whoever instigates a hinderance should apply, and in this case, it was the Belgian player.Sueiyin04-02-2025
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- Ha-ha-ha... Translation: I'll help as long as I don't have to meet in person and endure the ongoing BS"mandoist03-02-2025
