Qinwen Zheng has assessed her game and named the shot she wants to improve.
The 22-year-old will be one of the biggest threats at the Australian Open after reaching the final of the WTA Finals and rising to the number five in the rankings.
Furthermore, in the second half of 2024, Zheng defeated French Open champion Iga Swiatek on the way to winning the Olympic gold medal in Paris.
Following a breakout year which also included a run to the Australian Open final, Zheng will be determined to go one better in 2025, and continuing to improve her game will only boost her chances.
Which shot did Qinwen Zheng tell her coach that she wants to improve?
One thing that is key to a player’s greatness is their desire to keep improving their game.
This is something Qinwen Zheng is keen to do as she prepares to commence a new season at the Australian Open, an event where she reached the final in 2024.
Ahead of her next campaign, the Chinese number one is working hard in practice with coach Pere Riba, and on certain shots in particular.
“I am not going to say my specific goal. I will keep it for myself,” Zheng told reporters. “But if I am a boss in my team, I think I am a tough boss for them. I’ve been pushing everyone.
“I always feel like my practice is not good enough. I always feel there is something I could do better. Always on the fitness side is the same. Treatment is the same. To the coach I say, I think my backhand down the line is to improve. I think my return is to improve.
“I always come on the court with, ‘okay, we are not good enough’. I need to have this mentality to be a better player. I’m right now in the top 5, but still far away from my goal.”
Qinwen Zheng reflects on the 2024 Australian Open final defeat
At the 2024 Australian Open, Zheng advanced to her first Grand Slam final.
She faced the toughest task at the tournament that year, to defeat Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champion.
Zheng managed to win just five games as the Belarusian dominated proceedings to win her second major title. A year later, Zheng, now now has more silverware to her name and a higher ranking, is still affected by the loss.
“That final brings me a lot of good memories, but at the same time some pity and some sadness because I didn’t take my chance,” she said.
“I would even say I ruined my chance because I feel I could do better. It took me a while to recover from that loss. At the same time I really learned a lot.”
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