Zheng Qinwen signs "lucky balls" for tennis fans at the Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Despite her withdrawal from the 2024 Ningbo Open due to health concerns, Zheng Qinwen still made a special appearance at the Ningbo (Yinzhou) Tennis Center on Oct 16.

Addressing the crowd, Zheng vowed, "I’ll do everything I can to get better and return to Ningbo for the tournament next year. For those who missed my match this year, please don't feel sad because I'll be back in 2025!"

And if that wasn't enough, Zheng even signed a collection of tennis balls for her fans, which she affectionately dubbed "lucky balls", creating a buzz of excitement in the stands. In response to her fans' enthusiasm, she picked up her racket and sent the signed balls flying towards different sections of the stadium as a gesture of gratitude for their unwavering support.

During her first visit to Ningbo, Zheng expressed her admiration for the city. Despite her tight schedule, she took the opportunity to explore Dongqian Lake and wander through the charming Hanling Ancient Street.

"I absolutely love Ningbo. It's a clean city with fresh air, and I had a wonderful time at Dongqian Lake," Zheng shared during a media session, also mentioning her fondness for the misty, rainy weather typical of the Jiangnan region.

Looking ahead, she emphasized that her primary focus now is to recover fully and embark on targeted training to prepare herself adequately for the WTA Finals.