Even the roar of the capacity crowd after every point won or the supportive chants of "Come on, Zheng Qinwen" after any misstep fail to fully capture how popular "Queen Wen" is in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province.

To fully grasp her reach, you need only stroll through the city's streets, where her face appears on bus stops and giant outdoor screens. Wuhan even lit up the Yangtze River on Tuesday in her honor to celebrate her 22nd birthday.

In Wuhan, Zheng is more than just a rising tennis star — she's a hometown sensation.

"Since I got back to Wuhan, the attention has been overwhelming," Zheng said. "It's been nonstop with events and appearances, but I'm loving every bit of it. It's surreal to see my photos all over the city!"

In recent days, tennis fans have flocked to the Optics Valley International Tennis Center in Wuhan, where Queen Wen has been a constant presence. The Wuhan Open, which kicked off on Monday, featured her as a guest at the opening ceremony. The next day, the tournament threw a special celebration for her birthday, cementing her status as Wuhan's tennis queen.

In her first appearance in the main draw of the Wuhan Open, Zheng delivered a commanding performance on Wednesday night, defeating Romania's Jaqueline Cristian 2-0 to claim her first victory at the tournament.

Zheng's magnetic presence was clear from the outset. During the brief eighth game, which lasted just six minutes, the crowd erupted into applause four times and cheered for her six times.

"For me, the crowd's support is a real source of energy right now. Playing in front of so many people — it just makes it that much more exciting," Zheng said.

The Wuhan Open, a WTA 1000 event drawing top talent from around the globe, cementing its status as one of the city's premier sporting showcases since its debut in 2014.

This year's tournament, held after a five-year hiatus, marks a significant milestone in Zheng's career. Five years ago, at just 16, she made her debut at the Wuhan Open as a wild-card entry in the qualifiers but fell in the first round to two-time Grand Slam champion Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Now, Zheng returns as a vastly different player — an Olympic gold medalist and ranked No 7 in the world, entering the tournament as the No 5 seed.

"Five years ago, Wuhan gave me a wild card for the qualifiers. It was my first time on tour, and I was so nervous and inexperienced," she reflected. "It was also my first match against a professional, and I was beyond excited. I remember feeling like my opponent wasn't stronger than me, but I made so many unforced errors because I was just too emotional."

"Now, coming back as a top seed, my mentality is completely different. I feel more in control on the court, and every aspect of my game has improved since then," Zheng said.

Zheng still has her accreditation badge from the 2019 Wuhan Open hanging in her home. Reflecting on that first experience, she admitted that after falling in the first round of the qualifiers, and being so young, she hadn't paid much attention to the logistics or organization of the tournament.

Now, with years of experience on the tour, her return to Wuhan has given her a new appreciation for the event's meticulous planning and the organizers' attentiveness. "I can honestly say that Wuhan excels in certain details, and you all really take great care of the players," she said.

Celebrating her 22nd birthday at the Wuhan Open, Zheng has been on a grueling competition schedule over the past year. This tournament marks her 18th event of the season. Since her Olympic triumph, she has had little time to rest, transitioning from the North American circuit to the Chinese season and continually competing.

"There are moments when I feel a bit mentally exhausted because I'm playing so many matches in a row, and each one brings its own pressures that I need to confront. But I'm managing okay — like you all say, sometimes you just have to show up even when you don't feel like it," she joked.

"Actually I'm really happy to be competing in Wuhan because it's my hometown. If I were in a different place, I might not feel as motivated," she added. "We're nearing the end of the season, and everyone is feeling fatigued. But for me, it's easier to find motivation when I'm playing at home."

Following her victory on Wednesday, which secured her a place in the round of 16 at the Wuhan Open, Zheng's ranking for championship points has risen to No 7, significantly enhancing her chances of qualifying for the year-end finals.

Zheng spent her elementary school years in Wuhan, a period she values deeply. In her eyes, the city was instrumental in laying the groundwork for her tennis career.

"I lived here from the age of eight until about thirteen, which means that this formative period of my life was spent in Wuhan. Many of my habits and aspects of my personality were shaped during that time," she shared.

"From the moment I arrived in Wuhan, my dream of playing tennis began to take shape, and I dedicated myself to it. The tennis culture here has always been vibrant and supportive."

Zheng encourages young tennis players to cherish their elementary school experiences. "That time is truly when you can play without worries. Winning and losing aren't the main concerns; it's all about enjoying tennis and having fun every day," she emphasized.

liyingxue@chinadaily.com.cn