Qinwen Zheng has been ranked fourth in the world and played a Grand Slam final but has yet to reach world number one or win a major title.
The Chinese star enjoyed a great 2024 season, winning Olympic gold, reaching the Australian Open final and peaking at world number four. However, an injury-ridden 2025 stunted her progress.
She’s bounced back this year, although Zheng still has a long way to go. After her latest win at the China Open, Zheng was asked if she would rather win a Grand Slam title or become world number one.
Qinwen Zheng says she would rather win a Grand Slam than become number one
“There is no doubt for me, always a Grand Slam, because that’s been a dream since I was a kid. When I was young, I never thought about being world number one. But I guess these things come together,” said Zheng during her latest post-match press conference.
Live WTA Rankings
- 48. Karolina Pliskova – 1,105 points
- 49. Tamara Korpatsch – 1,086 points
- 50. Qinwen Zheng – 1,083 points
- 51. Oleksandra Oliynykova – 1,082 points
- 52. Mayar Sherif, 1,079 points
World number 50 Zheng came closest to Grand Slam glory at the Australian Open two years ago. She defeated Ashlyn Krueger, Katie Boulter, Wang Yafan, Oceane Dodin, Anna Kalinskaya, and Dayana Yastremska before losing to Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
Qinwen Zheng’s Grand Slam record
| Grand Slam | Best performance | Latest performance | Record |
| Australian Open | Final – 2024 | Second round – 2025 | 9-4 (69%) |
| French Open | Quarter-final – 2025 | First round – 2026 | 10-5 (67%) |
| Wimbledon | Third round – 2022 | First round – 2026 | 2-5 (29%) |
| US Open | Quarter-final – 2023, 2024, 2026 | Quarter-final – 2026 | 14-4 (78%) |
Zheng hasn’t played another final since, but was impressive at the US Open last time out. Zheng produced a miraculous comeback to beat Madison Keys, having trailed 5-0 in the deciding set.
She then defeated Iga Swiatek in the fourth round, 7-5, 6-3, after losing the first five games of the match. Zheng lost to the eventual champion, Elena Rybakina, in the quarter-finals.
If she can maintain that level and fighting spirit at Grand Slam events next year, there is every chance she becomes a major champion in 2027. But first, Zheng has work to do in China…
Qinwen Zheng issues health update after reaching China Open fourth round
Never keen to make life easy for herself, Zheng won her first two matches at the China Open in three sets. She defeated Shi Han, 7-6, 4-6, 6-2, and Anna Kalinskaya, 6-7, 6-4, 4-0 (RET).
During her post-match press conference Zheng was asked to update fans on her physical condition, having been seen coughing throughout her second-round win.
“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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Provided she doesn’t withdraw from the tournament, Zheng will return to take on Czechia’s Marie Bouzkova in round three. Zheng and Bouzkova have never met before, although the Chinese star is 6-10 against Czech opponents on the WTA Tour.
If Zheng can navigate her way past the 18th seed, she will meet Alina Charaeva or Sonay Kartal in the last 16. Zheng would walk on court as a favourite in either match-up.
Looking ahead, she could play Belinda Bencic, Ann Li, Maria Sakkari, or Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals, then Coco Gauff, Sun Xinran, Jelena Ostapenko, Elise Mertens, Iva Jovic, Kamilla Rakhimova, Donna Vekic, or Iga Swiatek in the semis.
And in the final, Zheng could face several players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, Mirra Andreeva, and Linda Noskova. With the home fans cheering her on, who knows what Zheng might achieve in Beijing? She will return to action to play Bouzkova in the third round on Monday, October 5.
