Zheng Qinwen sings childhood cartoon theme song after China Open triumph

Sunday, 11 October 2026 at 18:30

Zheng raises her left arm to greet the crowd at the WTA 1000 Wuhan Open

Zheng Qinwen found a memorable way to celebrate the biggest title of her career so far. Moments after defeating Mirra Andreeva to win the China Open, the Chinese star picked up a microphone and broke into song in front of her home crowd, turning her trophy celebrations into an impromptu karaoke session inspired by a cartoon she grew up watching.

Zheng defeated the fourth-seeded Andreeva 7-5, 6-4 in Sunday's final, becoming the first Chinese player to win the women's singles title at the Beijing tournament since its introduction in 2004. The victory brought her first WTA 1000 trophy and ended a title drought that had lasted since Tokyo in 2024.

The performance had a personal meaning beyond the celebrations. Earlier in the tournament, Zheng had delighted the crowd with a superhero-like gesture after defeating Marie Bouzkova, prompting speculation about whether she was referencing Cristiano Ronaldo or a Japanese animated series. She later explained that the movement came from a Chinese cartoon she remembered from childhood, and her post-final song brought that reference full circle.

For Zheng, the moment offered a joyful ending to a particularly difficult period. A right elbow injury had disrupted much of her previous year and the beginning of 2026, forcing her to rebuild her form and ranking. Winning in Beijing in front of her home supporters was already a significant achievement; celebrating it with a childhood favourite made the occasion even more personal.

Zheng turns her childhood cartoon into a Beijing celebration

The superhero-style pose first appeared after Zheng defeated Marie Bouzkova in the third round. As reported by the WTA, the gesture was inspired by Shen Bing Xiaojiang, translated as Shenbing Kids, an animated Chinese series that debuted in 2006.

Zheng watched the show while growing up and remembered its theme song, “Meng De Guang Dian". She explained that the pose was a transformation gesture from the cartoon, adding that her team had teased her about the reference because they considered the show childish. However, she believed that people around her age would recognise the series from their own childhoods.

The reference became even more fitting after the final. Rather than limiting the celebrations to her trophy presentation and victory speech, Zheng took the microphone and sang the theme song in front of the crowd, with Andreeva and the spectators watching. It was an unusual but fitting way to mark a title that had required years of patience and a long recovery from injury.

The celebrations also reflected Zheng's connection with the tournament. Before the final, she had described the China Open as being like her fifth Grand Slam, explaining how much it meant to compete in front of her home supporters. Winning the title gave her the opportunity to celebrate that connection in a way that went beyond the usual post-match ceremony.

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Zheng's first WTA 1000 title caps a difficult comeback

The celebrations followed a hard-fought final against Andreeva. Zheng saved three set points in the opening set before recovering from 5-4 down to take it 7-5. The Chinese player then broke late in the second set and sealed the 6-4 victory with an ace, securing the biggest title of her career.

“The feeling was incredible. To win here in Beijing in front of my home crowd is one of my dreams,” Zheng said after the match. She also acknowledged the difficulties that had preceded the breakthrough, adding: "I've been through a very, very tough year.”

The 24-year-old had undergone surgery on her dominant right elbow in July 2025 and missed much of the following months. Her progress this season was interrupted by further setbacks, but a quarterfinal run at the US Open helped restore her confidence before she arrived in Beijing as a wildcard ranked No. 54 in the world.

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The China Open victory represents her sixth career title and first at WTA 1000 level. It also provides a significant boost to her ranking as she heads to the Wuhan Open, which begins on Monday. Zheng will have little time to dwell on the celebrations, but her Beijing triumph has given her renewed momentum heading into the final stretch of the season.

For now, however, the lasting image from Beijing may not be the match point or the trophy lift. It may be Zheng singing a song from her childhood in front of thousands of home fans, celebrating a long-awaited achievement in a way that was unmistakably her own.

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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