Contents
The coaching carousel on the WTA tour has been turning around a lot recently. With Qinwen Zheng as the supposed loser.
Legend: Coaches Wim Fissette and Qinwen Zheng were on the right track when the sudden break came. Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
With Pere Riba at her side, Qinwen Zheng celebrated her breakthrough on the WTA tour in 2022. The 35-year-old coach, who ended his active career in 2020, shaped the young Chinese into newcomer of the year. Despite the successes, Zheng decided to end the collaboration with Riba in 2023 after the clay court season to work with star coach Wim Fissette.
Better Osaka than Zheng
The partnership with the Belgian got off to a bumpy start with the first round exit at Wimbledon, but then picked up speed. At the clay tournament in Palermo, Zheng celebrated her first title at the WTA level. Just over a month later, she also caused a sensation at the US Open when she eliminated the then world number 5 Ons Jabeur in the round of 16.
Live notice
Open box Close box
Follow the women’s final at the Australian Open on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. live on SRF info and in the SRF Sport app.
The astonishment in tennis circles was all the greater when news broke at the end of September that Zheng and Fissette had separated. The news not only caught the public off guard, but also Zheng himself.
According to the Chinese woman, Fissette breached her contract to rejoin Naomi Osaka’s coaching team. Fissette had already worked with the Japanese woman before her maternity leave. This fact did not change the fact that Zheng felt betrayed: “What he did is immoral. It harmed me and my family,” said the Chinese woman in an interview at the time.
Legend: Wim Fissette and Naomi Osaka are working together again. Keystone/EPA/DARREN ENGLAND
Return to the roots
And Riba? After separating from Zheng in the summer of 2023, the Spaniard found a new role in Coco Gauff’s team. Under Riba, the American dominated the hard court season in North America and was crowned US Open champion in New York. However, for family reasons, Riba decided to give up the job and return to his hometown of Barcelona instead.
Legend: Qinwen Zheng and Pere Riba have reunited and are now facing great success. Robert Prange/Getty Images
This move opened the door for Zheng to reunite with Riba. The Spaniard and the Chinese have been together again since December 3rd. With success. Before the Australian Open, Zheng never made it past the quarterfinals at a Grand Slam tournament. Now she even dreams of major triumph in Melbourne. The only thing standing in her way is Aryna Sabalenka.
2024-01-26 09:07:00
#Melbourne #finalist #Zheng #star #coach #stronger #sport
