Zheng Qinwen Delighted to Make Debut at Hong Kong Tennis Open After China Open Triumph
SCMP · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Chinese tennis star Zheng Qinwen will make her debut at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open in November after claiming her first China Open title in Beijing on Sunday. The 24-year-old, who underwent elbow surgery last year and dropped to world No. 160, has surged back to No. 23 following her breakthrough victory. She will join Venus Williams and Alexandra Eala at the November tournament at Victoria Park.
Zheng, an Olympic gold medallist from Paris 2024 and former world No. 4, expressed her excitement about playing in Hong Kong for the first time. Despite her dramatic ranking decline earlier this year, she has maintained significant commercial appeal, earning US$22.6 million over the past 12 months to rank seventh on Forbes' list of highest-earning tennis stars.
Key Points
- Zheng Qinwen became the first Chinese player to win the China Open in Beijing on Sunday, October 12, 2026, defeating Sabalenka in the final
- The 24-year-old underwent elbow surgery last year, missing nearly eight months of action, and dropped to world No. 160 earlier this year
- After her China Open triumph, Zheng's ranking improved to world No. 23, marking a remarkable comeback from her lowest point
- She joins Venus Williams (making her third appearance) and Alexandra Eala at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open at Victoria Park in November
- Forbes ranked Zheng seventh among highest-earning tennis stars with US$22.6 million over 12 months, with only US$600,000 from on-court winnings
- Despite her ranking slide, all 14 of Zheng's long-term sponsors remained loyal to her, demonstrating her sustained brand value
- Sports marketing expert Zhang Qing noted that brands invest in athletes based on expected future value they may bring
Why It Matters
Zheng's Hong Kong debut represents a significant moment for the city's premier tennis event, attracting both a rising Asian star and established global names like Venus Williams. Her remarkable recovery from injury and ranking decline, combined with her sustained commercial appeal, underscores the growing influence of Chinese players in international tennis and their ability to maintain brand value even during competitive setbacks .
Zheng's Hong Kong debut represents a significant moment for the city's premier tennis event, attracting both a rising Asian star and established global names like Venus Williams. Her remarkable recovery from injury and ranking decline, combined with her sustained commercial appeal, underscores the growing influence of Chinese players in international tennis and their ability to maintain brand value even during competitive setbacks .