Qinwen Zheng Battling Injuries Ahead of BNP Paribas Open Showdown

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. — Following a promising finish to 2024, Chinese tennis player Qinwen Zheng is facing a challenging start to the 2025 season, marked by injury concerns and a coaching change. Zheng’s current record stands at 2-3, a stark contrast to her success last year.

The 21-year-old athlete has encountered several setbacks, including a brief off-season and the loss of her coach due to hip surgery. Additionally, she has been dealing with persistent elbow pain, which has influenced her performance on the court.

Despite these challenges, Zheng is preparing to compete for a WTA 1000 Masters title at the BNP Paribas Open. Throughout the season, she has worn a Nike compression sleeve on her right elbow, leading to speculation among fans and commentators regarding its impact on her serve.

In a recent interview, Zheng acknowledged the discomfort she feels, stating, “There’s still a little pain, but it doesn’t significantly affect my play. I can still feel it a bit, so wearing the sleeve provides some protection.” She also noted that she would assess her need for the sleeve based on her recovery progress.

Furthermore, Zheng shed light on her physiotherapist’s absence at the Indian Wells event. “I let her go back to rest and readjust. After all, she has been with me for a long time. She will come back later, but team members also need time to rest. Plus, I wanted to bring a fresh dynamic to the team,” she explained.

This evening, Zheng, the 8-seed in the tournament, will face unseeded Lulu Sun in the third round. The victor of this match will advance to meet Marta Kostyuk in the Round of 16 on Tuesday, March 11.

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