Qinwen Zheng is pumped for the prospect of playing in front of her home fans.

The 25th-ranked Zheng said she's "really excited" for the WTA Tour's return to her native China this year.

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"I'm so happy the tournaments in China will finally be back because I'm really excited to play in front of my people," Zheng told the media in Stuttgart. "I really miss China because it has been a long time, I never have time to come back there.

"Since the tournaments have started, I will have more time to go back to my hometown and meet all my family and to show my tennis over there."

The talented 20-year-old swept American Alycia Parks, 6-4, 6-4 in her Stuttgart opener, setting up a red-clay clash vs. world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Zheng took a set off Swiatek before bowing in the Roland Garros fourth round last year. 



WTA Chief Steve Simon announced the Tour will return to China this season. The WTA had previously pulled out of China in support of Peng Shuai, who publicly said she was sexually assaulted by a Chinese government official.

Zheng said she's never met Peng Shuai.

"But I think she's pretty well in China," Zheng said. "Honestly, I don't know how she is. I just focus more on myself."

Photo credit: Getty