AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 24, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

Z. QINWEN/A. Kalinskaya

6-7, 6-3, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, you're into your first Grand Slam semifinal and also top 10 as of next week. Talk us through your emotions and how you're feeling right now.

ZHENG QINWEN: Of course I'm super happy to won this match and to give a break to myself, because, you know, I lost the first set and it was really, really difficult. I mean, the opponent, she's playing really good. That was really tough match. So emotional.

It's just, I think, more than just a tennis on court. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. You have spoken during the tournament how you wanted to keep things simple and stick to basics. After losing that first set, is that how you got yourself back into the match tonight?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I think at the beginning of the first set I'm just thinking too much. That's why I lost the first set, because I got those early breaks. Then later on I'm not able to keep my serve.

Of course that's one of my problems. So when I lost the first set directly, I tried to tell myself, Stay focused. Don't think too much. Just focus right now.

Because, you know, the first set already prove think too much, is not helping, and you can't play your best tennis there.

So I'm really happy that I'm able to change that and to won the match at the end.

Q. What do you think you need to improve before your next match against Yastremska on Thursday and potentially a finals match on Saturday?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I don't know if you can improve less than 24 hours (smiling). Yeah, basically I think just trying to recovery, and I think about what I have to do for the next match and enjoy on court, focus on the present.

I mean, there is nothing I can change too much in 24 hours, right? So, yeah, I just keep simple and let's go for it.

Q. Just in terms of making the semifinal, what is the most meaningful thing about that result to you, you know, getting this result?

ZHENG QINWEN: Wow, there was a lot of meaning inside because everyone know what's happened past years for me, a lot of ups and downs, and finally that I really can break through. And then to arrive here as my real first time, I mean, the feeling is just -- I can't explain by word right now, because there were so many inside.

I mean, happiness. Of course I'm proud of myself. Yeah, but, you know, this is just the beginning. I still need to play tomorrow. So I need to change fast the mentality and trying to stay my game plan for tomorrow (smiling).

Q. You served 10 aces today. I think you have done 44 in the tournament. You have a great serve. Where did that come from? Can you tell us how you came to have such a good serve? And how you feel in the really difficult moments when you're standing up to serve.

ZHENG QINWEN: I think my serve just gets better and better by the match going. Of course I think there is lot of things I need to improve, especially in the percentage.

But I will say if I'm really totally there, I have, like, really good serve, but, you know, I still think there is lot of margin I can still improve a lot in my serve.

So I will just say keep going and, yeah, and trying to improve in the future (smiling).

Q. Congratulations. Just looking ahead to the semifinals, what do you make of Dayana's story coming through qualifying and playing eight matches here?

ZHENG QINWEN: I mean, that was obviously amazing, because a lot of match. I mean, it's not easy for her to arrive here in semifinal, of course. She's already really good player.

I mean, when I was struggling in the futures before, I already heard her names, big names in WTA, so is already really good player. Doesn't matter if she come from the qually. Right now I think the people who arrive to semifinal, they all have super well level in this tournament. I have nothing more to say. Just compete.

Q. A lot of the focus is probably on you perhaps getting through to the finals. If you were to get through and be successful on Thursday, who would you rather play, Coco or Aryna?

ZHENG QINWEN: Oh, I don't think too much. I mean, right now every match is really tough. You can't think so far. I cannot even think about tomorrow is going to happen. I only can focus right now in this moment.

I don't have a preference. I don't care who I'm gonna play against. Doesn't matter. And I just gonna play my tennis. Also believe the best players, they are able to beat everyone. If I'm not able to beat one of them or another type, which means I have to improve more myself.

Q. You have a small talk with the Djokovic yesterday.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah.

Q. A lot of fans actually very curious about did he, like, share some secrets to how to win a single title here? Would you like to share with us a little bit more.

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, that talks is really fast, honestly. I talk with him, you know, before his match. You know, he come to say hi to me, so chill. Looks like he doesn't have a match. Because me, before the match, I'm really focused and I don't want to talk with no one. I really want to learn that chill from the top players, because I think that is what I miss, yeah.

I mean, was really nice conversation with Novak yesterday.