Zheng Qinwen to begin 2025 with a new coach for the Australian Open - Will Pere Riba return?

Zheng Qinwen will travel to the Australian Open with a new coach, as Pere Riba is set to undergo hip surgery. The world No. 5 had a remarkable season, winning Olympic gold and reaching finals at tournaments like the Wuhan Open and the WTA Finals.

The Chinese star’s season propelled her to the forefront of women’s tennis. Since Wimbledon, she has amassed an impressive 31-5 record (including her participation in Paris 2024) and closed the season with her highest career ranking to date.

At just 22 years old, Zheng is seen as one of the future leaders of women’s tennis. In 2025, she will start the season as one of the favourites for major titles. The Australian Open marks her first big challenge, as she must defend the points earned from reaching this year’s final (where she lost to Aryna Sabalenka).

However, she faces a setback as her coach Pere Riba will be sidelined due to hip surgery. The Spaniard retired from professional tennis in 2018 following an accident that affected his hip.

To fill the gap, Zheng will work with Argentine coach Dante Bottini, a renowned figure on the ATP Tour, having coached players like Kei Nishikori, Grigor Dimitrov, Nicolas Jarry, and, more recently, Juncheng Shang. According to Marca, Bottini will join Zheng for the start of the season, though there are no signs of a permanent separation from Riba, who has been coaching her since December 2023.