Zheng Qinwen's Tennis Comeback: Adding Marcos Baghdatis to Her Team and Reaffirming Pere Riba as Head Coach in Indian Wells
The former world No. 4 is making a remarkable comeback after missing much of the 2025 tennis season due to an elbow injury. In an interview with Tencent, Zheng shared her thoughts on her improved serve and physical recovery post-surgery. She noted, "I do think my serve has improved compared to before. Especially after the surgery, I can feel that my overall physical function has changed. For example, my elbow can fully straighten now, which is different from before. At the same time, I made some small technical adjustments to my movements, and those have been helpful."
Seeded No. 24 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Zheng will face either Antonia Ruzic or Jennifer Brady in the first round. Her projected seed in the third round is Doha champion Karolina Muchova. Zheng expressed her confidence, stating, "I feel like my level is pretty good. Everyone knows that the ball bounces higher than usual in Indian Wells, so it does take a bit of time to adjust. But overall, I feel in good shape. My body has basically recovered to a normal state now, which makes me really happy."
This comeback story is not just about Zheng's physical recovery; it's also about her strategic decisions. By adding Marcos Baghdatis to her team and reaffirming Pere Riba as her head coach, Zheng is demonstrating her commitment to a strong support system. These moves could be pivotal in her journey back to the top of the tennis world. As she prepares for her first match in Indian Wells, tennis fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating her performance and the potential for a remarkable comeback.
