Zheng excitedly explains the key to his comeback

Qinwen Zheng has everything needed to revolutionize the women's circuit if she can maintain the level she has shown in recent months. Her performance at the WTA 1000 Beijing 2026, where she will contest the final, confirms the return to her best form for the 24-year-old Chinese player, who reached the top-10 and was an Olympic champion.

After two years in an endless spiral of injuries, setbacks, loss of competitive level, and difficulties in accepting the new reality, Qinwen Zheng took the bull by the horns months ago and is now reaping the rewards. Her tennis shines again, along with that innate competitive spirit and complete, versatile player capable of beating anyone and establishing herself solidly among the best. Her reflections after reaching the final of the WTA 1000 Beijing 2026 deserve attention.

This is how Qinwen Zheng described her return to elite tennis in Beijing after very tough years

Assessment of her week at the Beijing tournament

"All the matches I have played here have been complicated. It has been an incredible week for me, during which I have managed to win against many great rivals. Today Mertens also played extraordinary tennis, so I am very happy to have reached the final."

"The more matches I play, the freer I feel and the better tennis I can deploy. I am a player with a very high ceiling, but I need to find my rhythm from the start of the tournament."

"Fortunately, I have managed to play very aggressive tennis, which was the goal I set for myself, while still being consistent. I am happy to have been able to close today’s match in two sets, after having to play very tough third sets in my first three encounters."

Watch the Match Highlights from Qinwen Zheng vs. Elise Mertens from the Semifinal in Beijing. #WTA #tennis #ChinaOpen #Beijing https://t.co/oVR5s4LlgY

— wta (@WTA) October 10, 2026

Zheng is already a historic figure in Chinese tennis

"At the beginning of the tournament, I wasn't thinking so far ahead because for me it was important to take it one match at a time. I am glad to be the first Chinese player to reach the final, but the battle is not over yet. Tomorrow I have a very tough opponent awaiting, and there’s still a match to play. I want to keep my feet on the ground and see what happens."

"I always feel proud to play in front of my audience. I want to show my best level because I know how much they support me and I don’t want to disappoint them. I also don’t want to disappoint myself. In a way, that creates pressure, but at the same time, it gives me motivation. The important thing is to know how to use that support in the right way."

"When we see our compatriots succeed in international tournaments, that encourages many people, both in men's and women's tennis, as well as in junior categories. It’s something very positive."

"When I was a junior, previous generations inspired me. Now I am on the court and everything I do can help convey that strength to the younger ones. I would like to become a role model for them. I want to keep raising my level because I still don't know what my limit is. Throughout my career, I want to build the best version of myself."

Keys to her sports resurgence

"I did a very tough training period a few months ago, not just physically but also mentally. At that time, I had to accept that I had to play the qualifying rounds of the US Open because my ranking had dropped significantly. It didn’t matter what my coach told me: I had to listen to him and accept his advice."

"When I was among the top ten in the world, I always found reasons to tell him no. But now I had to accept the situation. My coach told me I was out of the top 100 and that, if my ranking was not as high as his had been at one time, I couldn't afford to ignore his recommendations."

"During that preparation period, I was much more humble. I think that was one of the keys to what I’m achieving now."

"There was a time when I felt proud of my achievements and maybe I had gotten too accustomed to them. During those training sessions, I reflected on my attitude and many things. I now remember it as a very beautiful experience, a very special memory."

"My ideal version would be to win many matches and many titles, like the members of the Big 3 did at their best. When you saw them on the court, they had a special aura, a kind of mysterious power. It seemed that victory was assured when they showed up. They won very regularly and clinched major titles."

"That’s the version of myself I aspire to. I don’t want to play well only in one tournament, but to maintain a very high level consistently across many competitions."

Expectations in the final against Mirra Andreeva

"In these two years since the first time we faced each other, both of us have matured a lot. This year she won Roland Garros, an extraordinary achievement. I want to congratulate her for that."

"She is always a tough opponent because she fights for every point and is very consistent. It won’t be an easy match, but I am also a difficult player to beat. Tomorrow looks like a tough battle ahead. We will try to show our best tennis and see what happens."

The return of Qinwen Zheng to her best level is a true gift for women's tennis and an added incentive in a circuit full of players capable of winning major titles. She will look to cap off a splendid week with the title at the WTA 1000 Beijing 2026, but Mirra Andreeva will not make it easy for her.

This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zheng explica con emoción la clave de su regreso