Disciplined preparation helps Zheng Qinwen score statement first win in Rome

ROME, Italy—Zheng Qinwen has put her dreams of a Roman holiday aside in favor of a disciplined approach to the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where she made a winning return to action after a right leg injury forced her to retire last week in Madrid.

“Physically, I would say that, right now I’m 95%,” the No. 7 seed confirmed to me after a 6-2, 6-0 victory over American Shelby Rogers. “I would not say 100% because nothing is ever 100%, but obviously I’m much, much better compared to Madrid.”

The opening-round retirement at the Mutua Madrid Open came as a surprise in light of her solid form the week before at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, but Zheng confessed she was playing injured in Stuttgart as a result of a jam-packed spring schedule.

“I was coming from China, playing Billie Jean King Cup two days before the tournament,” she explained. “The time change, jet lag, everything, it wasn’t easy for me.

“Since Miami, my schedule has been like boom, boom, boom, boom, like very, very full! I got injured there, but that’s part of tennis.”

It feels so good to be able to run, to catch all the drop shots, to be able to move freely on court without any fear. When the body is healthy, you don’t realize how good it is just to be on the court, playing tennis and enjoying the competition. Zheng Qinwen

Zheng held five match points in her Stuttgart second round against Marta Kostyuk, who went on to reach the final after surviving the Australian Open finalist, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5.

“I know that if it wasn’t for the injury, I would have won, but this happens,” Zheng said.

She took over a week away from the practice court in the hopes of recovering in time for Madrid, but ultimately arrived undercooked to the Caja Magica and was unable to complete her match against Yulia Putintseva, trailing 7-5, 2-0.

“I realized that my brain was not ready and my body was afraid to push because it had been a long time without playing tennis. So, I retired during the match because I noticed that, on a couple of shots, I wasn’t able to run,” Zheng explained.

After a training bloc in Barcelona with coach Pere Riba, who was part of Coco Gauff coaching team when the American won the 2023 US Open, Zheng was relieved to find no false starts against Rogers and struck six aces en route to a 74-minute rout.

“It feels so good to be able to run, to catch all the drop shots, to be able to move freely on court without any fear. When the body is healthy, you don’t realize how good it is just to be on the court, playing tennis and enjoying the competition.”

The preparation meant that Zheng, making only her second career appearance in Rome, remains yet to take in much of the city beyond the Foro Italico.

“In China, we hear a lot about how old Rome is, and last year I really wanted to explore last year but I didn’t get to see any of it! And I was in the quarterfinals, so, that’s a pity right?”

A noted ice cream enthusiast, Zheng—partial to flavors like coffee and cookies & creme—hasn’t even allowed herself a cup of gelato.

“After the injury, I’ve been trying to take extra care of my diet. I said, ‘No sweets!’ I’m trying to eat healthy and recover as best as I can because I think the little details can change your performance a lot on court. But I’ve heard from my team that it’s very good!”

Zheng is settling for sweet victories in the meantime, booking a third-round clash with No. 29 seed Linda Noskova.