Zheng Qinwen, the Chinese tennis star currently ranked No. 5 in the world, has made a significant change to her coaching team ahead of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships. With her sights set on a deep run at the All England Club, Zheng has enlisted the expertise of Dante Bottini, who previously coached Kei Nishikori, as Riba recovers from hip surgery. This move comes as the Wimbledon draw has placed both Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka in potentially challenging positions, setting the stage for thrilling matchups.

Zheng's decision to bring on Bottini underscores her commitment to continuous improvement. Pere Riba, her primary coach, has been instrumental in her recent success, guiding her to her first Grand Slam final at the 2024 Australian Open and an Olympic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. However, Riba's hip surgery has sidelined him for the start of the 2025 season, prompting Zheng to seek an experienced interim coach. Zheng reunited with Riba in March before Indian Wells, but it appears she is seeking additional support for Wimbledon.

Bottini brings a wealth of experience to Zheng's team, having coached Nishikori for nine years. During his tenure, Nishikori rose to a career-high No. 4 in the world and reached the 2014 US Open final. Bottini's expertise could prove invaluable as Zheng navigates the challenges of the grass-court season.

Meanwhile, the Wimbledon draw has presented intriguing scenarios for other top players. Aryna Sabalenka, the top seed, will open her campaign against Canadian qualifier Carson Branstine. Sabalenka, who missed last year's Wimbledon due to a shoulder injury, is aiming for her first title at the All England Club. However, her path could be complicated by potential encounters with 2023 champion Marketa Vondrousova and 2021 US Open champion Emma Raducanu in the early rounds.

Naomi Osaka, the former world No. 1, faces a potentially tricky second-round match against Zheng Qinwen, assuming she overcomes her first-round opponent, Katerina Siniakova. Osaka, who has been working on her grass-court game, could pose a threat to Zheng's aspirations.

Coco Gauff, the second seed, will begin her Wimbledon campaign against Dayana Yastremska. Gauff's transition to grass after her French Open win has been rocky, with a first-round loss in Berlin. Yastremska, on the other hand, has gained momentum on grass, reaching the final in Berlin and the quarterfinals in Bad Homburg.

With the addition of Bottini to her coaching team and a potentially challenging draw, Zheng Qinwen is gearing up for a compelling Wimbledon campaign. Her progress, along with the performances of Osaka, Sabalenka, and Gauff, will be closely watched as the tournament unfolds. The stage is set for thrilling matches and unexpected twists at the All England Club.