Qinwen Zheng, a rising star in the world of tennis, once again made headlines with an impressive comeback at the Miami Open, where she defeated Madison Keys 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16. This victory marks an important milestone in her return to form following elbow surgery, showcasing her resilience and determination. As she prepares for an eagerly anticipated clash with Aryna Sabalenka, Zheng is also managing new dynamics within her coaching team, which now includes former player Marcos Baghdatis.
In a press conference following the match, Zheng was straightforward in addressing her coaching setup, particularly the integration of Baghdatis. “I’ve always wanted to add a second coach. I truly believe that Pere Riba helps me a lot as well. We’ve been working together for five years,” she stated, expressing confidence in her long-time coach while also showing optimism regarding the new partnership. About Baghdatis, she added: “Marcos is new. He joined me in Indian Wells. I really hope we can work well together. But we are still in a testing period. I want to stay focused on my matches and move on to the next round.” This indicates that, despite her excitement about the new collaboration, Zheng is still assessing the best way to integrate her new coach.
Reflecting on her return to competition, Zheng shared her honest feelings: “I think it’s good to compete with all the players… My body likes pressure. During these six months without pressure, I felt that my life was very boring, honestly very boring without tennis.” This comment highlights the intensity of her passion for the sport and her desire to compete at the highest level.
Changes in her coaching team have generated speculation in the tennis world. Initially, Zheng brought Baghdatis onto her team during the BNP Paribas Open, a strategic decision that caught attention. Baghdatis, a former top player and Australian Open finalist, brings with him experience and knowledge, which Zheng hopes to leverage to further evolve her game. “I hope he brings me something different and helps me improve my tennis even more,” she stated in a previous interview.
Meanwhile, rumors about her relationship with Riba have raised questions about the structure of her coaching team. Zheng quickly clarified: “I know there have been many questions about my coaching team, so let me clarify again. I have not ended my collaboration with Riba. In fact, I have not ended it. He is just temporarily away from the team for a period of rest.” This statement reassured fans, confirming that Riba remains a key part of her development, although temporarily absent.
Now, with Riba back on her team at the Miami Open, Zheng has stabilized her coaching structure. She also explained the current division of roles: “As for the division of roles, for now, it’s mainly Baghdatis leading the training because he started working with me first in Indian Wells. In the future, there may be adjustments; we don’t know yet. But, so far, I’m really enjoying working with both.” This collaborative approach could be crucial as she prepares to face Sabalenka in a match that promises to be intense.
When she steps onto the court against Sabalenka, it will be their ninth encounter, with Zheng looking for her second victory in the last three meetings. Sabalenka, coming off a convincing win against Caty McNally, is in great form, having dominated the final phase of her match with a streak of ten games won out of twelve.
Zheng’s journey has been marked by ups and downs, including struggles during the 2023 clay season, which led to a reassessment of her coaching team. After a brief partnership with Wim Fissette, who left to coach Naomi Osaka, Zheng sought stability once again. The reunion with Riba at the end of 2023 proved decisive, culminating in an excellent 2024 season, where she reached the final of the Australian Open and won the gold medal in singles at the Olympic Games.
With Riba and Baghdatis by her side, Zheng’s preparation for the Miami Open appears solid. The matchup against Sabalenka will be a true test not only of her abilities, but also of the effectiveness of her revamped coaching team. Will Zheng be able to seize the moment and advance in this prestigious Masters 1000 tournament? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the pressure is on, and Zheng is ready to respond.
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