Zheng Jie Facts for Kids

In this Chinese name, the family name is Zheng (郑)'.

Quick facts for kids
Zheng Jie
郑洁

Zheng at the 2015 French Open

Country (sports)

China

Residence

Chengdu, Sichuan

Born

5 July 1983 (age 42)
Chengdu

Height

1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)

Turned pro

16 January 2003

Retired

2015

Plays

Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Prize money

$6,157,773

Singles

Career record

384–266 (59.08%)

Career titles

Highest ranking

No. 15 (18 May 2009)

Grand Slam singles results

SF (2010)

4R (2004)

SF (2008)

3R (2008, 2009, 2012, 2013)

Doubles

Career record

437–213 (67.23%)

Career titles

Highest ranking

No. 3 (10 July 2006)

Grand Slam doubles results

W (2006)

SF (2006)

W (2006)

SF (2010, 2013)

Grand Slam mixed doubles results

SF (2014)

SF (2008, 2015)

SF (2006)

1R (2012)

Team competitions

Fed Cup

22–9 (70.97%)

Medal record

Olympic Games

Bronze	2008 Beijing	Doubles
Asian Games
Gold	2006 Doha	Singles
Gold	2006 Doha	Doubles
Silver	2014 Incheon	Team event
Bronze	2014 Incheon	Mixed doubles

Zheng Jie

Simplified Chinese

郑洁

Traditional Chinese

鄭潔

Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu Pinyin	Zhèng Jié
Wade–Giles	Cheng Chieh
IPA	[tʂə̂ŋ tɕjɛ̌]

Zheng Jie (born on July 5, 1983) is a Chinese former professional tennis player. She was one of China's most successful tennis stars. In May 2009, she reached her highest singles ranking of world No. 15.

Zheng won four singles titles on the WTA Tour. These wins were in Hobart (2005), Estoril (2006), Stockholm (2006), and Auckland (2012). She also won 15 doubles titles. Eleven of these doubles titles were with her partner Yan Zi. Together, they won major tournaments like Wimbledon and the Australian Open in 2006.

Zheng and Yan Zi also won a bronze medal in doubles at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Zheng's highest doubles ranking was world No. 3. She made history by reaching the singles semifinals at the 2008 Wimbledon Championships. During that tournament, she beat the world No. 1 player, Ana Ivanovic. This made her the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals at a major tennis tournament. She also reached the semifinals of the 2010 Australian Open. Zheng retired from professional tennis in 2015.

Zheng Jie's Early Life and Career
Overcoming Challenges and Giving Back
Zheng Jie's Singles Career Highlights
Images for kids
See also

Zheng Jie's Early Life and Career

Zheng Jie graduated from the Sichuan Sports Academy in June 2000. She started playing tennis when she was ten years old. She saw her older sister playing and thought it looked like good exercise. At first, tennis was just a hobby for her.

Zheng was quite small for a tennis player. Her parents worried she might not have a successful career in the sport. They even called her "xiao bu dier," which means "small kid." They thought she should focus more on her studies. However, her foreign coach saw her talent. He told her parents that many people read books in China, but few become national heroes. After hearing this, her parents agreed to let her pursue tennis professionally.

Zheng was coached by Jiang Hong Wei, who was China's national women's team head coach. Later, her husband, Zhang Yu, became her coach and hitting partner. They grew closer after Zheng had a serious ankle injury.

Overcoming Challenges and Giving Back

In 2007, Zheng had ankle surgery. She keeps small pieces of her ankle bone that were removed during the surgery in a vial. She says she keeps them because they are a part of her. It helps her remember how much she loves playing tennis and life in general. She believes the injury, even though it made her ranking drop, helped her grow a lot as a person.

At Wimbledon in 2008, Zheng became famous for being the first Chinese player to reach the semifinals of a Grand Slam singles tournament. She beat the world No. 1 player, Ana Ivanovic, on her way to the semifinals. She donated her winnings from Wimbledon to the victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake. This earthquake happened in her home province and affected many people. She also donated her prize money from the French Open earlier that year to the earthquake victims.

In 2009, Zheng decided to manage her own career instead of being fully supported by the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA). She said the CTA had protected her during injuries and tough times. Now, she would manage her own money, which meant more risk but also more reward for her successes.

In April 2016, Zheng announced that she had given birth to her first child.

Zheng Jie's Singles Career Highlights

Zheng Jie's singles career saw many ups and downs, but she always showed great determination.

Early Career Successes

In 2002, Zheng won two smaller tournaments in China. She then reached the second round of a WTA tournament in Shanghai. By the end of 2003, she broke into the top 100 players in the world.

In 2004, Zheng continued to improve. She reached the fourth round of the French Open. This was a big achievement, as she was the first Chinese woman to reach this stage at a major event. She also won a tournament in Beijing that year.

First WTA Title and Grand Slam Wins

Zheng started 2005 by winning her first WTA Tour singles title in Hobart, Australia. She continued to play well, reaching another final in Morocco.

The year 2006 was amazing for Zheng in doubles, as she won two Grand Slam titles. In singles, she won tournaments in Estoril and Stockholm. She also won a gold medal in singles at the Asian Games in Doha. She won another gold medal in doubles with Yan Zi at the same event.

Wimbledon Semifinal and Comeback

After an ankle injury in 2007, Zheng made a strong comeback in 2008. She reached the semifinals of Wimbledon, which was a huge moment in her career. She was the first Chinese woman to reach a Grand Slam singles semifinal. This performance boosted her ranking from No. 133 to No. 40.

In 2009, Zheng continued her strong play. She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and the semifinals of the Monterrey Open. She achieved her highest singles ranking of world No. 15 in May 2009.

Australian Open Semifinal and Later Years

In 2010, Zheng reached the semifinals of the Australian Open. This was another historic moment for Chinese tennis. She continued to have good results in doubles, winning titles in Malaysia and San Diego.

After another wrist injury in late 2010, Zheng returned to the tour in 2011. She worked hard to regain her form, reaching semifinals in Guangzhou and Osaka.

In 2012, Zheng won her first WTA singles title since 2006 at the Auckland Open. She also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open. She continued to compete in major tournaments, reaching the third round of the US Open.

Zheng played her last professional singles match at the Australian Open in 2015. She retired from professional tennis later that year.