On July 3rd in local time, the 2024 Wimbledon women’s doubles competition kicked off with Chinese tennis duo Wang Xinyu and Zheng Saisai losing to former Grand Slam champions Garcia/Mladenovic 2-6, 4-6 in their opening match. This was Zheng’s first Grand Slam tournament since her injury recovery. After the game, she discussed the impact of her wrist injury.
Zheng last participated in a Grand Slam at the 2021 French Open, but during her recovery, she accompanied Wang Xinyu in tournaments, keeping her familiarity with major events. Reflecting on the match, Wang said, “I played okay today, maybe one of us needed time to find our rhythm, and today that wasn’t me, which didn’t allow us to adjust. It’s quite unfortunate that we faced a strong team in the first round, but we should perform better in future Grand Slams.”
Zheng Saisai shared, “Since it’s been a while since I played, usually she kept playing well while I kept losing balls, then gradually I improved, and once she lifted my game, everything fell into place. If we had faced a slightly weaker opponent in the first round, there would have been more time for adjustments.”
Discussing her Olympic aspirations, Zheng said, “The Olympics aren’t my primary goal as a professional tennis player; everyone aims for Grand Slams. But the Olympics are special, representing the country. I’ve competed in two Olympics, and I felt particularly regretful last time. Before the pandemic, my form was great, but without matches due to the pandemic, my performance in the previous Olympics wasn’t optimal.”
“Regarding the Olympics, doubles is indeed where I have a better chance at winning a medal. Last time, for various reasons, we didn’t play well, which was a pity. Actually, I’ve always focused on singles, but I believe I can still play doubles until I’m 40 and win a Grand Slam if I were to focus solely on that. So, this time around, with the opportunity to participate, I hope to do at least better and make up for the disappointment of the last Olympics.”
Recalling her wrist injury treatment over the years, Zheng revealed she underwent four surgeries. “Each surgery came with uncertainty about its success, as it required a three-month recovery period. Recently, I saw Muchova, who only had one surgery, and heard how challenging it was for her. I had four. After surgery, I never knew if it would work; I had to wait three months for the same rehab and gradually play to see if the pain persisted. If it did, I’d need to see the doctor again. The second operation was significant but didn’t fully solve the issue, making the process longer. Now that I can play, it’s a positive outcome.”
During the recovery, Zheng considered her tennis career over, but her coach remained determined, and they consulted a new doctor in New York. “Sometimes I still feel pain, but it’s impossible to be exactly like before. My right hand’s range of motion won’t return to its previous state, so playing feels different. There’s no fixing that. I’m adjusting and adapting, trying to get closer to my old form gradually.”
“Recently, I haven’t experienced much pain based on the weather. Before Madrid this year, the pain was severe, and I called my doctor, who suggested another surgery. At that point, I didn’t want to undergo another one. He recommended a very potent painkiller, but I could only take it for ten days. I was quite upset initially, but the next day, the pain subsided, indicating that it was manageable.”
“I can’t keep taking that medication because it can cause issues, but now I know that it allows me to play. I consider it a solution, and I try not to rely on it. Therefore, when practicing, selecting tournaments, or planning training, I must be very reasonable.”
When asked if she had any advice for Wang Xinyu to avoid serious injuries, Zheng said, “She’s already quite mindful of this. I told her that results don’t matter as long as her body remains in good condition. They’re so young, and they have time. You’ll reach your milestones at your own pace; it’s your life experience. No one will remember who you are after ten years, but you’ll enjoy your life in one place. Ultimately, your health and happiness matter most, and only your parents and yourself truly care about them.”
Regarding her goals after returning, Zheng admitted that she simply enjoys playing and isn’t fixated on specific achievements. “In my era, winning a Grand Slam seemed distant, but the pre-pandemic period made me think it might be possible. I believe we’re in a great era, and they all have opportunities.”
