Qinwen Zheng responds when asked whether Aryna Sabalenka's grunts bothered her during their French Open quarterfinal

Qinwen Zheng was looking to win her second-straight match against the world number one.

The 22-year-old produced one of the best performances of her career last month when Zheng beat Aryna Sabalenka in the quarterfinals of the Italian Open.

Facing off in the quarterfinals of this year’s French Open, the Chinese star was no doubt hoping to secure another win.

It wasn’t to be, however, as Zheng lost to Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-7, 3-6, on Court Philippe Chatrier.

Photo by Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Throughout their quarterfinal tie, Sabalenka could be heard grunting loudly, something fans of the sport have grown used to hearing.

After the match, Zheng was asked whether the world number one’s grunts bothered her at all.

Qinwen Zheng says Aryna Sabalenka’s grunts didn’t ‘really’ bother her in French Open exit

During her post-match press conference, Zheng responded when asked if Sabalenka’s grunts affected her.

“Not really,” she said.

“I think I’m just getting tight because it’s a French Open quarterfinals. I think it doesn’t matter who I faced today, I would be really tight because I have so much hunger in the French Open.

“I think this can make my performance not the best tennis, maybe not, I would say, I don’t even perform at 60 or 70 per cent.”

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Zheng was also asked whether Sabalenka was the hardest-hitting opponent she’s faced.

“When I hit with my sparring [in training] they are men so for sure they will hit harder than her, so for me it is not a problem,” she said.

“I just wish today I could do better on court and that’s it.”

Zheng’s defeat in Paris was her seventh against Sabalenka, as she continues to struggle against the world number one.

Match Winner Loser Score 2025 French Open – QF Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 7-6, 6-3 2025 Italian Open – QF Qinwen Zheng Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-3 2025 Miami Open – QF Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-2, 7-5 2024 WTA Finals – RR Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-4 2024 Wuhan – F Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 5-7, 6-3 2024 US Open – QF Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-2 2024 Australian Open – F Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-3, 6-2 2023 US Open – QF Aryna Sabalenka Qinwen Zheng 6-1, 6-4 Aryna Sabalenka and Qinwen Zheng’s head-to-head record

With that being said, the Chinese star still believes her game plan worked ‘quite well’ against Sabalenka.

“I think my game plan went quite well. But I got tight, and then I made so many easy mistakes when I’m leading in the first set,” said Zheng.

“I think my game plan was working quite well, it’s just that I am not able to do my game plan from the beginning until the end because I think sometimes I give her so many easy unforced errors.”

Zheng will certainly look to rid her game of those errors ahead of her return to action on grass.

Can Qinwen Zheng make an impression on grass courts in 2025?

The world number seven is currently scheduled to appear in three grass court tournaments in 2025.

Fans of Zheng will be hoping she’s made big improvements to her grass-court game since her last appearance on the green stuff, as she’s only won three WTA Tour matches on the surface during her career to date.

Match Opponent Result Score 2024 Wimbledon – 1R Lulu Sun Loss 6-4, 2-6, 4-6 2024 Berlin – 2R Katerina Siniakova Loss 4-6, 4-6 2024 Berlin – 1R Naomi Osaka Win 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 2023 Wimbledon – 1R Katerina Siniakova Loss 3-6, 5-7 2023 Eastbourne – 1R Jessica Pegula Loss 3-6, 4-6 2023 Berlin – 1R Veronika Kudermetova Loss 4-6, 2-6 2022 Wimbledon – 3R Elena Rybakina Loss 6-7, 5-7 2022 Wimbledon – 2R Greet Minnen Win 6-4, 6-1 2022 Wimbledon – 1R Sloane Stephens Win 7-6, 7-5 2022 Eastbourne – 1R Magdalena Frech Loss 3-6, 0-6 2022 Berlin – 1R Alycia Parks Loss 3-6, 6-7 Qinwen Zheng’s record on grass

Having lost six of her last seven matches on grass, it’s fair to say Zheng won’t travel to Wimbledon in 2025 as one of the pre-tournament favorites.

She did, however, enjoy a strong first showing at SW19 three years ago, advancing to the third round.

There, she fell to a tight straight sets defeat against eventual champion Elena Rybakina, 6-7, 5-7.

Photo by Shi Tang/Getty Images

Zheng will be looking for a similarly impressive showing when she returns to the All England Club later in the summer, but will first switch her attentions to Queens.

The 2025 Queen’s Club WTA 500 event is scheduled to begin on Monday, June 9.

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