Andrew Rizzo While she didn’t take the title, few players saw their stock rise more at the US Open than Zheng Qinwen. The Chinese star knocked off two top-25 opponents in the third round and round of 16 before falling to eventual world No. 1 Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. That run has vaulted her to No. 52 in the WTA’s live rankings, a 69-spot jump, giving fans reason to believe she can climb back toward the top ten, a territory she occupied as recently as last year before injuries knocked her out of it.
The timing, then, is all too perfect. Nike is releasing a Zheng Qinwen Zoom Vapor 12 PE packed with traditional Chinese details. The Vapor 12 is, of course, the brand’s main tennis shoe at the moment, serving as the go-to choice for most of its sponsored players, including newly minted Travis Scott shoe frontman Carlos Alcaraz. Zheng’s pair arrives in red, a color symbolizing good fortune in Chinese culture, with a host of screen-printed and stitched graphics including a crown, medal, wings, and more. The Swoosh lands in gold, as does “Qinwen” text on the tongue and spine of each shoe. Nike also includes a gold hangtag bearing a phoenix, perhaps the clearest indication of the theme at play a la “rising from the ashes.”
Zheng Qinwen’s Nike Zoom Vapor 12 PE is likely a China-exclusive and is expected to release Fall/Winter 2026, potentially around the China Open in early October. Check out official images below if you’re considering copping.
WHERE TO BUY
Asia Nike Vapor 12 "Qinwen Zheng"
US 2026
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| Retailer | Release type | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Nikestore | Standard | Check Site |
