Zheng Qinwen’s run at the Rome Open came to an end in the third round, but the match sparked an unexpected talking point—her coach’s “water bottle coaching.” Known for her candid and humorous personality, Zheng revealed the amusing story behind a courtside moment that went viral.
“Maybe It Would Have Been Better If I Hadn’t Read It”
During her first-round match against Bondar, Zheng dropped the first set and was leading 4-0 in the second when her opponent fought back to 3-4. Coach Pere Riba, visibly anxious, kept shouting tactical advice from the sidelines, but an irritated Zheng snapped back: “Don’t speak! OK?” Fans worried her composure might unravel, but she eventually prevailed in three sets.
In the following rounds, Riba switched tactics and began writing messages on Zheng’s water bottle. In the third round against Ostapenko, with Zheng leading 4-3 in the second set, Riba wrote a note on the bottle, which was passed to her during a changeover. When asked about it in the post-match press conference, Zheng laughed: “I didn’t really look at what he wrote. I just remember after reading it, I lost two or three games in a row. I think if he hadn’t written anything, the result might have been better.”
According to reports, Riba’s note read: “Keep breathing, keep going, you are the best.” Though clearly encouraging, the message seemed to disrupt Zheng’s focus, leading to a series of errors that cost her the match.
Expert Insight: Personalized Coaching Matters
Tennis analysts weighed in, noting that most coaching happens before the match, and in-game advice must be tailored to the player’s mindset. Riba, known as a patient and hands-on coach, likely meant to calm Zheng down, but for a player already in a deep competitive flow, any external input—even positive—can be distracting. Fans joked online: “Riba: I can’t win—even praising you is wrong?” Others defended him, saying the advice itself was sound; it just didn’t click in that moment.
Zheng’s Clear Plan: Focus on the French Open
Beyond the lighthearted moment, Zheng clarified her upcoming schedule. She stated, “Of course, more matches would be good, but this wasn’t the result I wanted. I need to go back, review, and work on what needs improvement. I currently have no plans to play other tournaments. I’ll prepare for Roland Garros.”
Analysts agreed that skipping additional warm-up events to focus on targeted training could be a smart move. They highlighted areas to refine, such as second-serve consistency and first-strike aggression, while noting bright spots like backhand down-the-line shots and drop volleys that worked well when used.
From the “caring water bottle” in Rome to a disciplined pre-French Open plan, Zheng’s red-clay season is filled with telling details. The bottle incident became a quirky talking point, but underneath lies a young player learning from setbacks and making strategic choices. With her trademark honesty and focus, she aims to arrive at Roland Garros stronger and more prepared. (Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)
