A Battle Against the World Number One

In a highly anticipated rematch, Qinwen Zheng aimed for victory against Aryna Sabalenka, the reigning world number one, during their quarterfinal clash at this year's French Open. Just weeks prior, the 22-year-old had stunned the tennis world by besting Sabalenka at the Italian Open, showcasing one of the finest performances of her career.

However, fate had other plans for her at Court Philippe Chatrier, where Zheng fell short, losing in straight sets, 6-7, 3-6. Throughout the match, Sabalenka's signature loud grunts echoed, making waves among fans accustomed to her intense style.

Zheng's Response to the Grunt Controversy

Post-match, the media was eager to hear Zheng's thoughts on whether Sabalenka's vocal outbursts had an impact on her performance. With humility, Zheng commented, "Not really," adding, "I think I’m just getting tight because it's a French Open quarterfinals. I would feel the same regardless of my opponent. That hunger to perform well adds pressure and can hinder my best tennis."

The Quest for Improvement

Reflecting on her game, Zheng acknowledged the struggle against Sabalenka, who she has now faced and lost to seven times. Despite this, Zheng felt her strategy initially worked well but faltered due to unnecessary errors. "I got tight and made too many easy mistakes while leading in the first set," she explained. "If I could just execute my game plan from start to finish, things might have turned out differently."

Looking Ahead: Grass Court Challenges Await

Looking forward, fans are curious how Zheng will adapt to grass courts in 2025. Currently, she is slated to compete in three grass tournaments, including a return to Wimbledon. Yet, her historical performance on grass has been shaky, winning only three WTA matches so far and struggling in recent outings with six losses in her last seven grass matches.

Despite the odds, Zheng remains optimistic, reflecting on her debut at Wimbledon three years ago, where she impressively reached the third round before narrowly losing to eventual champion Elena Rybakina. As she gears up for her next challenge at the Queen’s Club, starting June 9, fans will be eagerly watching to see if she can turn around her fortunes and make a significant impact on the grass.