Zheng Qinwen breaks down at press conference after shock exit from French Open: Video

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 hard to accept. Chinese star and Olympic gold medalist she was defeated 6-4, 6-0 by World No. 114 Maja Chwalinska at Roland Garros, bringing a painful end to her Paris campaign.

Zheng, who was visibly emotional as she spoke to reporters, struggled to hold back tears as she recalled the loss and the difficult time she has endured over the past year.

“I have to accept that I didn’t play well and lost the match. Losing in the first round of Roland Garros is really, really hard for me. It will take some time to come to terms with it,” Zheng said after the defeat.

The 23-year-old player also admitted that nerves and pressure affected her performance during the competition. “Nerves and pressure didn’t allow me to play the tennis I wanted today,” she said.

ZHENG is struggling with injuries

The defeat marks another setback in a phase of Zheng’s career that has been affected by injuries. After reaching the quarterfinals of the French Open last year and winning Olympic gold in Paris in 2024, Zheng’s momentum has been 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. She was later forced to miss the 2026 Australian Open as her rehabilitation continued. The Chinese star did not fully return to the WTA Tour until February 2026, but since then she has been trying to regain her rhythm.

Her latest loss now also has major ratings implications. Zheng, currently ranked 56th in the world, is expected to drop outside of the WTA top 100 following her Roland Garros exit. Despite the disappointment, Zheng tried to look at the situation positively.

“I have to start again and everything will be different. But it can also be positive because I need more matches to get my rhythm back,” she said.

Chwalinska, a Polish qualifier who arrived in Paris outside the top 100, has been in sensational form throughout the tournament. She didn’t lose a set from the beginning of the qualification and smoothly carried it into the main draw. She will next face Elise Mertens, who defeated Tatjana Mario in the opening round.

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Issued by:

sabyasachi chowdhury

Published on:

May 26, 2026 1:05 PM IST

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