Zheng Qinwen’s Passion for Tennis in Australia
Zheng Qinwen, the fifth seed for China at the 2025 Australian Open, is no stranger to the vibrant atmosphere of tennis in Australia.
In fact, she loves it.
The 2024 runner-up at the Australian Open shares that playing on Aussie soil feels almost like home for her, thanks to the enthusiastic support she receives from the crowds.
A Familiar Energy From the Crowd
Zheng admits that the crowd’s energy fuels her during matches.
“It feels like I’m playing in China,” she says, referring to the support from the audience that helps her elevate her game.
Whether it’s their cheers or the intensity of a close set, she draws strength from the crowd, especially in critical moments.
A Strong Start in Melbourne
Zheng is off to a solid start at this year’s Australian Open, advancing to the second round after a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 victory over Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni.
Reflecting on the match, she noted how the crowd’s support was particularly helpful when she faced a challenging first set.
Australian Open: A Favorite Destination
Having already reached the final last year, Zheng is growing fond of the Australian Open.
“I just love to play in front of the Australian Open crowds,” she says.
Despite losing in the final to Aryna Sabalenka in 2024, she’s clearly looking forward to more success in Melbourne this year.
The Importance of Real Matches
Zheng also discussed how important it is to play in real match situations rather than exhibition games.
She recently competed in exhibition matches at Rod Laver Arena, and while she found them beneficial, she highlighted that nothing compares to the intensity and focus of an actual competition.
“In exhibition matches, I don’t say ‘c’mon’ to my opponent,” she laughs, emphasizing how much more focused she is in real matches.
The Nervous Energy That Drives Her
Ahead of her first-round match, Zheng admitted to feeling nervous, but she views that nervousness as a positive.
“I feel like when I’m nervous, I play better,” she shares, noting that it helps her concentrate and reduce unforced errors.
It’s clear that, for her, the nerves sharpen her focus and drive her to perform at her best.
Finding Peace Beyond the Court
Off the court, Zheng finds peace in other activities like reading and singing.
“When I sing, I feel in the flow, just like I do on the tennis court,” she explains.
Writing and reading also give her a sense of calm and balance.
Despite the high-pressure world of professional tennis, Zheng knows how to unwind and find joy in her passions outside of the sport.
A Rainy Day in Melbourne
As the 2025 Australian Open got off to a wet start with thunderstorms and heavy rain, one can imagine Zheng might have been singing in the rain—just like Gene Kelly—after her first-round win.
Whether it’s tennis or singing, Zheng seems to have a way of finding rhythm and joy, no matter the conditions.
Dave Marshall is covering the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne exclusively for The South African website.
for Tennis in Australia
Zheng Qinwen,
the fifth seed for China at the 2025 Australian Open, is no stranger to the vibrant atmosphere of tennis in Australia.
In fact, she loves it.
The 2024 runner-up at the Australian Open shares that playing on Aussie soil feels almost like home for her, thanks to the enthusiastic support she receives from the crowds.
A Familiar Energy From the Crowd
Zheng admits that the crowd’s energy fuels her during matches.
“It feels like I’m playing in China,” she says, referring to the support from the audience that helps her elevate her game.
Whether it’s their cheers or the intensity of a close set, she draws strength from the crowd, especially in critical moments.
A Strong Start in Melbourne
Zheng is off to a solid start at this year’s Australian Open, advancing to the second round after a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 victory over Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni.
Reflecting on the match, she noted how the crowd’s support was particularly helpful when she faced a challenging first set.
Australian Open: A Favorite Destination
Having already reached the final last year, Zheng is growing fond of the Australian Open.
“I just love to play in front of the Australian Open crowds,” she says.
Despite losing in the final to Aryna Sabalenka in 2024, she’s clearly looking forward to more success in Melbourne this year.
The Importance of Real Matches
Zheng also discussed how important it is to play in real match situations rather than exhibition games.
She recently competed in exhibition matches at Rod Laver Arena, and while she found them beneficial, she highlighted that nothing compares to the intensity and focus of an actual competition.
“In exhibition matches, I don’t say ‘c’mon’ to my opponent,” she laughs, emphasizing how much more focused she is in real matches.
The Nervous Energy That Drives Her
Ahead of her first-round match, Zheng admitted to feeling nervous, but she views that nervousness as a positive.
“I feel like when I’m nervous, I play better,” she shares, noting that it helps her concentrate and reduce unforced errors.
It’s clear that, for her, the nerves sharpen her focus and drive her to perform at her best.
Finding Peace Beyond the Court
Off the court, Zheng finds peace in other activities like reading and singing.
“When I sing, I feel in the flow, just like I do on the tennis court,” she explains.
Writing and reading also give her a sense of calm and balance. Despite the high-pressure world of professional tennis, Zheng knows how to unwind and find joy in her passions outside of the sport.
A Rainy Day in Melbourne
As the 2025 Australian Open got off to a wet start with thunderstorms and heavy rain, one can imagine Zheng might have been singing in the rain—just like Gene Kelly—after her first-round win.
Whether it’s tennis or singing, Zheng seems to have a way of finding rhythm and joy, no matter the conditions.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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