Zheng Qinwen is back in action in Doha, and the look on her face says she missed the chaos of competitive tennis more than the rest days.
After a long 2025 of managing an elbow issue and limited outings since Wimbledon, Zheng arrives at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open aiming to stack matches and rebuild confidence ahead of bigger targets.
Zheng’s Road Back To Doha
“I feel great to be back on the tour.”
Zheng Qinwen
Zheng missed key events while treating an elbow problem that dogged much of 2025, a setback that forced withdrawals from both the US Open and the Australian Open and limited her match rhythm.
She retired in the third round at the China Open against Linda Noskova and later explained her decision to skip the 2026 Australian Open by saying, “Currently, I have not yet reached my best condition that I have set for myself.”
That caution makes sense given Zheng’s previous peaks, including finishing as runner-up at the Australian Open in 2023 and climbing to a career high as a former world No.4.
Encouraging Match Practice In Doha
Zheng eased into tournament rhythm with a gritty three-set win over Alycia Parks, closing out the encounter 7-6, 3-6, 6-2 after roughly two hours and 20 minutes of tennis on court.
It was her first main draw appearance since January, and the result mattered for more than the scoreboard because staying healthy through long matches was the key measurement for her team this week.
After the Parks match Zheng told reporters, “The elbow didn’t get worse, so I think it’s good news. Because after such a long match, especially two times [playing] three sets, my elbow can stay really healthy and I’m pretty happy about that.”
Her next challenge is a rematch with Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open champion and current top contender who sits at No.4 in the rankings, testing Zheng’s early-season form and fitness.
Rivalry, Route And Reality
Zheng holds a head-to-head record of 1-2 against Rybakina, dating back to Wimbledon 2022 when Rybakina edged her out before later lifting that major trophy.
The pair met again at the China Open in 2023, with Rybakina winning comfortably, and Zheng finally notched a signature victory at the 2024 WTA Finals by the score 7-5, 3-6, 6-1 in the group stage.
That history proves Zheng can match Rybakina at times, but she will need to rely on tactical discipline and the kind of match toughness she said she missed when sidelined.
Zheng has also been candid about her mindset, telling reporters, “It’s going to be a very difficult match because she has her confidence and I’m just starting to build my game up,” and adding that she will fight for every point.
Should Zheng pass Rybakina, she would face either Victoria Mboko or Mirra Andreeva in the quarterfinals, and the draw afterwards could include names such as Jelena Ostapenko or Camila Osorio.
For now the pragmatic goal is simple: bank match minutes, protect the elbow and rebuild the sharpness that previously carried her to Grand Slam finals and a top five ranking.
Zheng summed up what many players feel after time off when she said, “I especially missed the tournaments and the competition. I missed the way you have to put your blood into a match,” which explains why she is willing to grind through Doha.
Her return will be watched closely not just for the result, but for how those three-set matches affect her physically and mentally as she aims to reclaim consistent Grand Slam contention later in the season.
Join the conversation on Facebook.
Christoph Friedrich is a German tennis player and coach currently residing in Oakland, California. He began his tennis journey at the age of eight and has since dedicated his life to the sport. After working as a tennis coach and hitting partner in New York City for eight years, Christoph decided to share his knowledge and experience with tennis players around the world by creating the My Tennis Expert blog. His goal is to make tennis education accessible to everyone and help players select the best equipment for their game, from racquets and strings to shoes and overgrips. Christoph's extensive research and expertise in tennis technology make him a valuable resource for players of all levels.
