Qinwen Zheng regains her passion: "I had forgotten what it was like to compete"

Qinwen Zheng wants to feel like one of the best players in the world again, and the step she is taking at this US Open 2026 is key to experiencing that feeling. After more than a year of injuries, setbacks, motivational issues, and a total lack of focus on tennis, the Chinese player is starting to enjoy the sport again and amaze fans with her game.

Nothing is worse for a tennis player than suffering a major injury. That can be attested by Qinwen Zheng, who saw the best moment of her career cut short by a physical issue in her right elbow that has plagued her much longer than expected. The pain was persistent, insecurity was total, and everything she had built was crumbling like a house of cards.

This is compounded by the weight of the enormous expectations and media pressure that the Chinese player faces along with her fierce self-demand. After hitting rock bottom, it seems she is rising again in a US Open 2026 where she managed to pass through the qualifying rounds and is now already in the round of 16, after putting on a historic display of survival against Madison Keys, coming back from 0-5 down in the third set.

Here’s what Qinwen Zheng said after reaching the round of 16 at the US Open 2026

Zheng's epic comeback against Keys

"Yes, it’s an epic comeback, especially since my opponent had a match point. It was also an incredible performance for me. When I was down 0-5, the first thing I thought was: ‘Please, I don't want to lose 6-0.’ I just wanted to win a game."

"After that, the momentum started to change, and I began to feel better on the court. I felt I could see the tennis better and that I had a lot of energy. I could keep pushing and fighting. When I finally won the match, I thought: ‘Wow, this is incredible.’ Finally, for once, luck was on my side, because I have suffered a lot over the past three or four months."

The challenge of forgetting competition

The comeback also represents a vindication for a player who recently acknowledged that she needed to regain her competitive feelings. Zheng explained that her journey through the qualifying rounds of the US Open was especially important for rebuilding that confidence.

"After coming back from the injury, I had spent quite a long time without competing. I felt that I had lost that energy, that I had forgotten how to compete. I have played many matches here since the qualifying rounds and have had so many emotions. I even cried after winning the third match and getting into the main draw."

"I had to fight really hard just to be able to start from the same place as everyone else. For me, it was not easy at all."

The training block that changed Zheng

"When I decided not to play Cincinnati and do a training block with my team, I accepted that I would probably have to compete in the qualifying rounds of the US Open. We worked really hard before the US Open trying to achieve a good result here."

"But I never thought too much about the result. I just wanted to fight in every match, put all my energy into it, and see what happened."

"During the last three or four months, I did not have the right energy to play tennis, and maybe my level or physical condition were not good enough to compete at the highest level. After this training block, I feel like I have come back stronger, both physically and mentally."

Zheng reveals she was sick but denies feeling tired

"Fortunately, yesterday and today I felt much better. During some matches, I wasn't breathing well because my nose was congested, and my energy was really low. After eight or nine days, the illness has practically disappeared, and I can compete under normal conditions."

"I am not tired at all. The training I did in Bradenton was extremely hard. Every day I finished completely soaked in sweat. Maybe that’s why my physical condition is now much better and I don't feel tired. Especially when you keep winning, mentally you feel even fresher."

This is Qinwen Zheng, a born competitor who has rediscovered the inner fire that was extinguished for a time. The Chinese player has everything she needs to return to the top 10 and contend for major titles, and why not think that she can achieve it at this US Open 2026. Her next opponent will be Iga Swiatek.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Qinwen Zheng recupera la pasión: "Me había olvidado de cómo se competía"