Zheng Qinwen is currently away from the tour, yet she’s making her time off count. The Chinese star recently graced ELLE China’s October cover, radiating elegance in striking ensembles. Zheng has been sidelined for nearly two months following a much-needed elbow surgery.
Before stepping away from the tour, the 22-year-old had strung together a series of impressive runs, reaching the quarterfinals in Indian Wells, Miami, Charleston and Roland Garros, along with semifinal finishes in Rome and Queen’s Club. Her last appearance came at the 2025 Wimbledon Championships as the fifth seed, where she suffered a stunning opening-round upset to Kateřina Siniaková.
How Did Zheng Qinwen Showcase Her Glamorous Side in Her Recent Cover Feature?
While the past few months on court have been quiet for the Chinese star, her off-court presence has been anything but. Recently, images of Zheng surfaced online as she graced the October cover of ELLE China, commemorating the magazine’s 80th anniversary, and the photos were nothing short of spectacular.
Zheng showcased a range of distinctive ensembles, with her poised elegance amplifying the charm of the cover feature. IMG Tennis, which manages the 22-year-old on tour, recently shared the stunning images on Instagram. Take a look below
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The Chinese star made the most of the opportunity, radiating charm in a black lace dress, a sleek white ensemble, and a chic grey overcoat. ELLE, the iconic French magazine founded in 1945, has often celebrated this fusion of sport and glamour, previously featuring the likes of Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová, six-time Major winner Iga Świątek, and others.
Which Other Prominent Magazine Cover Has Zheng Qinwen Graced in the Past?
Apart from her recent ELLE China feature, Zheng also made headlines last year by appearing on the cover of Vogue China, looking nothing short of stunning. Remarkably, she became the first-ever male or female athlete to grace the magazine’s cover.
Being Queen Wen 👑
Zheng Qinwen becomes the first athlete – female or male – to ever be on the cover of Vogue China. pic.twitter.com/FSa65lGIAw
— wta (@WTA) October 12, 2024
Zheng reflected on the shoot during a press conference at the Wuhan Open last year, admitting that what struck her most about the cover was the intensity of her eyes.
MORE: Zheng Qinwen Refuses To Blame Aryna Sabalenka’s Power and Grunts for Her Loss at French Open
“I like all of them, honestly. Very, very special pictures. Completely different from previous photo shoots. I like the cover picture the most. I have really sharp eyes in the cover picture,” she told the media.
The Chinese star’s elbow injury forced her to miss the entire North American hard-court swing, including the WTA 1000 events in Montreal and Cincinnati and the US Open. Though her return date remains uncertain, recent glimpses of her pushing through intense practice sessions have reignited hopes of a comeback on home soil in Beijing.
