Zheng Qinwen: Mental strength and focus need improvement, elbow condition is quite good, looking forward to the clay season.

On March 24 Beijing time, Chinese player Zheng Qinwen lost to world number one Sabalenka 3-6/4-6 in the women's singles fourth round of the 2026 WTA1000 Miami Open, ending her run in this season's "Sunshine Double." Although she did not advance further, Zheng Qinwen's performance at this tournament, defeating two Grand Slam champions consecutively, left a deep impression on Chinese fans.

After the fourth round match, Zheng Qinwen summarized the game in an interview with Youku Sports: "Today, none of my serves landed at the start, so playing with second serves was indeed very difficult, leading to an early break. I actually understand this rhythm well; in previous matches against her, it was often about one or two service games. When facing top players, the outcome often hinges on those crucial points, including the 40-0 opportunity I didn't seize in the second set. When chances arise, I need to be more focused. My technique is not inferior to theirs; perhaps due to a long break from competition, my mental strength and focus need improvement. In important matches, it's often about who can hold on that extra bit, which is what I need to do better."

This is only Zheng Qinwen's third tournament since returning from injury this season. Regarding the recovery of her elbow, she stated: "My elbow condition is much better compared to Doha. After playing three matches in Doha, there was indeed some discomfort. This time, with back-to-back tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, and Miami being three consecutive matches, my physical condition is currently very good. If I had to play another match tomorrow, I could do it, which is a positive aspect for me. I hope to sharpen my focus and mental strength through more matches, allowing myself to push through that extra bit during competition."

Zheng Qinwen mentioned that she enjoys hard courts, grass courts, and clay courts alike, which is part of the charm of tennis. "I hope to play the clay season, lifting my spirit and energy in every match. Whether facing strong opponents or weaker ones, I want to perform my duties on the court well, truly express my tennis, and maintain good health."

Next, Zheng Qinwen will take a two-week break, starting her clay season campaign at the WTA500 Stuttgart Open beginning on April 13. She reached the quarterfinals in this tournament in 2023 and 2024, but missed last year due to injury.

（Editor: Dato, Image: Visual China）