Zheng Qinwen breaks down in press conference after shock French Open exit: Video
Zheng Qinwen broke down in tears after suffering a shock first-round defeat to Maja Chwalinska at the 2026 French Open, admitting nerves and pressure prevented her from playing her best tennis.
Zheng Qinwen broke down in tears during her post-match press conference after suffering a stunning first-round exit at the 2026 French Open, admitting the defeat was tough to accept. The Chinese star and Olympic gold medallist was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by world No.114 Maja Chwalinska at Roland Garros, bringing a painful end to her Paris campaign.
Visibly emotional while addressing reporters, Zheng struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on the loss and the difficult period she has endured over the past year.
“I need to accept that I did not play well and lost the match. Losing in the Roland Garros first round is really, really tough for me. It will take some time to handle it,” Zheng said after the defeat.
The 23-year-old also admitted that nerves and pressure affected her performance throughout the contest. “The nerves and the pressure today didn't allow me to play the tennis that I want,” she said.
ZHENG STRUGGLES WITH INJURIES
The defeat marks another setback in what has been an injury-ridden phase of Zheng’s career. After reaching the French Open quarter-finals last year and winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, Zheng’s momentum was derailed by persistent elbow problems. She underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow in July 2025 after struggling with pain for several months.
Although Zheng attempted a comeback just two months later at the China Open, the return proved premature and aggravated the injury further. She was later forced to miss the 2026 Australian Open as her rehabilitation continued. The Chinese star did not return fully to the WTA Tour until February 2026, but has struggled to regain rhythm since then.
Her latest loss now carries major ranking consequences as well. Following the Roland Garros exit, Zheng, currently ranked No.56 in the world, is projected to fall outside the WTA top 100. Despite the disappointment, Zheng tried to look at the situation positively.
“I need to start all over again, and everything will be different. But it can also be positive because I need more matches to regain rhythm,” she said.
Chwalinska, the Polish qualifier who arrived in Paris ranked outside the top 100, has been in sensational form throughout the tournament. She has not dropped a set since the start of qualifying and carried that momentum seamlessly into the main draw. She will next face Elise Mertens, who defeated Tatjana Maria in the opening round.
Zheng Qinwen broke down in tears during her post-match press conference after suffering a stunning first-round exit at the 2026 French Open, admitting the defeat was tough to accept. The Chinese star and Olympic gold medallist was beaten 6-4, 6-0 by world No.114 Maja Chwalinska at Roland Garros, bringing a painful end to her Paris campaign.
Visibly emotional while addressing reporters, Zheng struggled to hold back tears as she reflected on the loss and the difficult period she has endured over the past year.
“I need to accept that I did not play well and lost the match. Losing in the Roland Garros first round is really, really tough for me. It will take some time to handle it,” Zheng said after the defeat.
The 23-year-old also admitted that nerves and pressure affected her performance throughout the contest. “The nerves and the pressure today didn't allow me to play the tennis that I want,” she said.
ZHENG STRUGGLES WITH INJURIES
The defeat marks another setback in what has been an injury-ridden phase of Zheng’s career. After reaching the French Open quarter-finals last year and winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, Zheng’s momentum was derailed by persistent elbow problems. She underwent arthroscopic surgery on her right elbow in July 2025 after struggling with pain for several months.
Although Zheng attempted a comeback just two months later at the China Open, the return proved premature and aggravated the injury further. She was later forced to miss the 2026 Australian Open as her rehabilitation continued. The Chinese star did not return fully to the WTA Tour until February 2026, but has struggled to regain rhythm since then.
Her latest loss now carries major ranking consequences as well. Following the Roland Garros exit, Zheng, currently ranked No.56 in the world, is projected to fall outside the WTA top 100. Despite the disappointment, Zheng tried to look at the situation positively.
“I need to start all over again, and everything will be different. But it can also be positive because I need more matches to regain rhythm,” she said.
Chwalinska, the Polish qualifier who arrived in Paris ranked outside the top 100, has been in sensational form throughout the tournament. She has not dropped a set since the start of qualifying and carried that momentum seamlessly into the main draw. She will next face Elise Mertens, who defeated Tatjana Maria in the opening round.
