Fresh off her landmark victory at the China Open, Zheng Qinwen is set to make her debut at the Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, scheduled for November 2-8 at Victoria Park. The 24-year-old Chinese player will join a field that includes veteran Venus Williams, who is returning for her third appearance, and rising Filipino star Alexandra Eala.
Zheng’s recent achievement marked a milestone for Chinese tennis, as she became the first Chinese woman to claim the Beijing title. This triumph follows her impressive run to the quarter-finals at the US Open last month, where she was eliminated by eventual champion Elena Rybakina. Zheng’s comeback comes after a challenging 18 months, including elbow surgery last year that sidelined her for nearly eight months and caused her world ranking to slip as low as No. 160 earlier this year. However, her resilience has been evident as she has climbed back to No. 23 in the global rankings.
“It has been a tough 18 months but I am very pleased with my recovery journey and hope to compete well at Victoria Park,” Zheng said ahead of the tournament, expressing excitement about playing in front of Hong Kong fans for the first time.
Despite fluctuations in her rankings, Zheng’s market presence has remained strong. In August, she ranked seventh on a list of the highest-earning tennis players globally, and was the only Chinese athlete among the top 10, with earnings of US$22.6 million over the past year. Notably, just under 3 percent of this income came from on-court winnings, reflecting her extensive off-court endorsements and sponsorships. Her long-term partnership with 14 sponsors endured through her recent difficulties, underscoring industry confidence in her potential and appeal.
Sports marketing analyst Zhang Qing noted that brands often invest in athletes based on expected future value rather than short-term results, citing Zheng’s age, competitive level, and demonstrated ability to overcome adversity as factors supporting continued sponsorship.
Zheng’s popularity in China was highlighted by the high television ratings during her Beijing final, where her straight-sets win captured a 19 percent market share, far surpassing other broadcasts that day. Her commercial impact was further demonstrated when Chinese tea brand Chaage appointed her as global ambassador last October. The company’s launch of a “buy-one-get-one-free” promotion following her recent victory quickly went viral, overwhelming online platforms with unprecedented traffic.
Other notable brand collaborations include a special Beats Studio Pro headphone edition inspired by her zodiac sign, the Horse, which was released in June, along with a signature tennis racquet by Wilson last year and a partnership with Turkish Airlines earlier this year.
The Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open will provide Zheng with another opportunity to showcase her return to form as she aims to build momentum heading into the new season.