Zheng Qinwen warned over US Open shoe change amid racket controversy

Zheng Qinwen faced a chair umpire’s time delay warning for a mid-match shoe change during her second-round match at the US Open, highlighting a sharp contrast with tournament rule enforcement after her opponent escaped penalties for four separate racket abuses. The incident placed renewed focus on the exact boundaries of equipment adjustments under International Tennis Federation regulations.

Zheng Qinwen Warned Over Second-Round Shoe Change at US Open

During the second set of her second-round match against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva at the US Open, Zheng Qinwen bent down in the changeover window to swap her footwear. The gear change lasted roughly ten seconds and took place during the legally designated rest period. Despite the timing, the chair umpire immediately issued a code violation warning, telling the Chinese player not to deliberately delay the match.

Zheng immediately challenged the official on the court. Records of the exchange show she questioned the consistency of the officiating, pointing out that her opponent had thrown her racket four times without receiving a single warning while her routine equipment adjustment drew immediate scrutiny.

Putintseva Escapes Penalties Following Four Racket Abuses

Under ITF tournament rules and Grand Slam rulebooks, the intentional violent throwing or destruction of equipment falls under unsportsmanlike conduct regulations. The governing body’s uniform officiating protocols require officials to issue a verbal warning on the first offense, a point penalty for a second offense, and potential default procedures for subsequent infractions.

During the match against Zheng, Putintseva slammed her racket into the court surface four separate times after losing points, with the impacts audible to spectators. The chair umpire did not issue a code violation or an official warning for any of the four instances. Following Zheng’s verbal protest over the penalty disparity, Putintseva walked back to her seat to change her socks and questioned the official regarding the lack of warnings.

Contrasting Officiating Standards From Prior Tournaments

The US Open incident followed a similar equipment adjustment during the 2024 China Open in Beijing, where Zheng faced no intervention from officials. During her fourth-round victory over Kamilla Rakhimova, Zheng substituted her red footwear for a green pair during a set break. Observers noted the change at the time, but the chair umpire allowed the adjustment without comment as it occurred entirely within the standard window for rest and equipment changes.

Under current ITF regulations, players are entitled to a full 90-second window during changeovers and standard set breaks to rehydrate, manage physical needs, and adjust equipment. Officials possess the authority to intervene only when a player exceeds the allotted time or attempts to delay play outside of designated breaks.

Frequently Asked Questions About Tennis Equipment Regulations

What are the official rules regarding shoe changes during a tennis match?

Players are permitted to adjust or change equipment, including shoes and socks, during standard changeovers and set breaks within the regulation 90-second rest window. Officials may only penalize a player if the adjustment extends past the time limit or occurs outside of authorized intervals without permission.

What penalties does the ITF mandate for racket abuse?

The International Tennis Federation mandates a strict disciplinary sequence for deliberate racket damage or violent throwing. The initial violation requires an immediate verbal warning, a second offense draws a point penalty, and further repetitions can result in game penalties or disqualification.

How did officials handle similar gear changes in previous matches?

During the 2024 China Open fourth round against Kamilla Rakhimova, Zheng Qinwen switched from red shoes to green shoes during a set break without incurring any penalties or warnings from the chair umpire.