Zheng Qinwen has gotten a much-needed reinforcement ahead of the Double Sunshine as coach Pera Riba is returning to the Chinese’s team after missing the first two months of the season.
After guiding the 22-year-old to a breakthrough 2024 season which saw her win the Paris Olympics and make a Grand Slam final, the Spanish coach had to undergo surgery in the offseason to repair his lingering hip issue.
As a result, he wasn’t able to assist the world No. 9 during the Australian Summer or the Middle East swing.
While Zheng brought in first Dante Bottini and then Albert Costa to assist her while the Spaniard was out, it didn’t help much since she went only 1-3 in her opening three tournaments.
But a couple of days ago, the 2024 Australian Open runner-up posted a selfie with Riba, which she captioned: “Welcome back.”
Pere Riba recovered from surgery and will be back with Qinwen in Indian Wells finally pic.twitter.com/duf7dWXmsA
— cantwin (@IdemoAna) February 27, 2025
Now with the former Spanish tennis player back in her team, she will certainly be hoping to quickly turn the page and kickstart her 2025 season.
Zheng enters Indian Wells on a three-match losing streak
After the Chinese beat Anca Todoni in the Australian Open first round, hardly anyone could imagine that it would be her lone win in 2025 before Indian Wells.
Since then, the world No. 9 was beaten in three consecutive matches by Laura Siegemund, Ons Jabeur and Peyton Stearns.
However, it should be noted that Zheng felt unwell during a three-set loss to Stearns in the Dubai first round two weeks ago.
“The weather is pretty hot, then plus yesterday was a long day waiting and everything,” the world No. 8 said in a statement that was provided by the WTA.
“First of all, I start to cramp with my fingers. My two fingers stuck together, which is terrible before serving. Then after I start to get cramp both calves, which I never have before. It was a bit strange.”
In Indian Wells, Zheng has two second-round outings.
Tennis World USA