Zheng Qinwen (middle) appears at the opening ceremony of the China Open on September 23, 2025 in Beijing. Photo: Courtesy of the event organizers

China's tennis Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen says her recovery is progressing well after elbow surgery, as she prepares to return to competition at home at the China Open. 

"Of course, the best and most ideal plan was to play the entire China swing," Zheng told reporters in Beijing on Tuesday. "But right now my health condition is only about 70 to 80 percent fit, not yet perfect."

Zheng said that her baseline strokes are serviceable, but she admits she is not yet in "ideal" conditions. 

"If it's a high-intensity competition, I'm not sure I can bring out everything I have, so there's still some uncertainty. But we still have a few more days of training, and I hope during these days I will be able to get back to full form," she said.

Zheng underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow in July, following persistent pain that affected her training and match play. She has skipped the US Open and several other tournaments during her recovery. 

Zheng's 2025 season was disrupted by the injury. She made the quarterfinals at the French Open after an early Australian Open exit, but then bowed out in the first round at Wimbledon, the loss that preceded her decision to have surgery. 

With the China season approaching, Zheng regards this return not just as a comeback, but as "a chance to restart, to begin again." 

At the China Open, a WTA 1000 mandatory event, Zheng is seeded seventh and will receive a first-round bye, beginning her campaign in the second round. 

The women's draw remains strong even though world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn due to injury. Competitors in Beijing include six-time Slam champion Iga Swiatek, China Open defending champion Coco Gauff and world No.4 Amanda Anisimova among others. 

"These past two months have really been tough for me. I really wanted to play but couldn't," Zheng said. 

"But now everything is moving in a better direction. Tennis has taught me how to win, but also how to lose. There are so many matches in a year, you can't treat one defeat as the end of the world. A new day always brings new opportunities."

Global Times