Zheng Qinwen’s Powerful Return: A Doha Debut to Remember

DOHA, Qatar – After a challenging six months sidelined by a right-elbow injury, Zheng Qinwen delivered a resounding statement at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, powering past Sofia Kenin 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 in her season debut. This marked her first tournament appearance since the China Open last September, and a triumphant return to the WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz.

A Difficult Road to Recovery

Zheng’s 2025 season faced an early setback with her withdrawal from the Australian Open following right-elbow surgery in July, necessitated by persistent pain. Her exit from Wimbledon in the first round to Katerina Siniakova preceded the surgery, and a subsequent attempt to return at the China Open ended with a second-round retirement. Despite initial hopes for a swift recovery, the process proved more complex than anticipated.

“Nobody expected the recovery of the surgery would take so long,” Zheng admitted. “We all thought it was only two months and after I can jump back on the court easily. But at the end when I was in the China Open, my elbow still didn’t have the full extension.”

Dominance in Doha: 20 Aces and 43 Winners

However, on Monday in Doha, Zheng showcased her full potential. A blistering performance fueled by 20 aces and 43 winners saw her overcome a first-set deficit to secure a convincing victory over Kenin. The match highlighted her improved serve and aggressive baseline game.

During the first set, Zheng demonstrated resilience, saving double break points with a combination of clever net play and powerful aces. This foreshadowed her dominance in the subsequent sets, where her forehand and backhand winners consistently put Kenin on the defensive.

Post-Match Insights: Patience and Perspective

Following the match, Zheng shared her thoughts with the media, offering valuable insights into her recovery and mindset.

“I didn’t see the stats yet, but obviously – me and my team – we are working so hard on that because I’ve been out for six months with my elbow. That’s not easy and I want to come back really strong. I’m glad I did that in the first match, but it’s tennis – it has to be consistent, it’s not only one round.”

Zheng acknowledged that the recovery process wasn’t without its challenges, noting that pain levels fluctuated. However, she expressed confidence in her elbow’s progress and her ability to compete at a high level.

“I think when you come back from injury, it’s never totally pain-free. It always comes with up and down process…Generally I believe my elbow is in a good process because I could feel it.”

She also emphasized the importance of patience and adapting her game plan when facing adversity.

“I expect that I can play better…I start to be a bit more patient during the match, trying to go back a bit more and find my rhythm, start to attack again.”

Inspired by the Best

During her time away from the court, Zheng remained engaged with the sport, closely following the performances of top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Elena Rybakina. She even admitted to enjoying watching tennis as a fan.

“More than usual…I’ve been following the most interesting players…It feels fun sometimes watching tennis from the screen as a fan.”

Zheng Qinwen’s comeback in Doha is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and unwavering passion for the game. With her powerful serve and aggressive playing style, she is poised to make a significant impact on the WTA Tour in 2026. You can find more information about the WTA tour on their official website: WTA Official Website