AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

ZHENG QINWEN/K. Boulter

6-3, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on your victory today. Can you give us your thoughts on your performance in the match?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, the match honestly is really difficult because there were lot of wind during the match. Actually the first set went quite well for me.

Little bit strange part is the second set. She broke me first at the beginning. I had that weird game to close the match. That was long deuce, yeah (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Who did you grow up idolizing in tennis? How do you feel about being the face of tennis in China now?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think generally obvious China has really good tennis player in woman and men. All of us are trying to develop and improve as best as we can. Some of us are young. We are trying to explore how is our game style.

I think, yeah, right now we are in a really good position for China tennis.

Q. When you were growing up, who you idolize?

ZHENG QINWEN: I grow up in Hubei Province.

Q. You idolized which player when you were growing up?

ZHENG QINWEN: Which player?

Q. In terms of tennis.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I watched lot of Roger Federer's match because he was my biggest idol. Almost I been watching a lot of woman match in that generation. Like Serena, I love to watch her. Obviously Li Na, I watch lot of matches of her, as well.

Q. After your first round, it was a lot more difficult in terms of sets. You posted about the support you get from the crowds here. Did you feel similar out there today? Are they different at all to the other Grand Slams as a Chinese player?

ZHENG QINWEN: Actually, I was feeling quite different because the court because last time, there is lot of seats, so the people is walking between the game. Then today, because the court was totally full, so they can't walk at all between the game. That was more comfortable for me to play.

But sometimes the crowd, they were shouting between the first serve and second serve. That was little bit disturbing for me. I shout some Chinese at the end. I not supposed to do that. I'm sorry, yeah (smiling).

Q. Given your success in China late last year, do you feel that has made your profile grow at all to what it was in China? Do you feel more recognized now in China?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, obviously especially after our Asia Games and the tournament in China, of course, more fans they knows me and they expect more from me.

Yeah, obviously I just trying to keep focused on myself because I don't want to be distracted of how many people knows me. Right now I think that's not the point. I have to focus. I just want to be simple and focus on my tennis, to don't get so much disturbed from the social media.

Q. What is the biggest lesson you learned in New York, making the quarterfinal that you feel you are applying to the first slam after that?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, when I arrive in the quarterfinal in US Open, actually everybody say before the match, they look my face and I am nervous. Actually, I am. When I play against Sabalenka last time, I couldn't perform my tennis on court. That was the originally first time to play in such a big stadium in US Open.

I learn a lot from that match, especially the loss against her make me trying to develop more my game, trying to catch up the tennis of them.

Right now I come here, and I had more experience than before, for sure. Let's see what will happen this tournament.

Q. Your new coaching group, what are some of the things they've been trying to get you to do that were different from your last coach?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, you are talking about the head coach, right?

Q. Yes.

ZHENG QINWEN: Obviously we are working a little bit more on court because the Spanish way always more tough. Also, I think we feels good 'cause that's the way that I like. With tennis, once you stop to work, the level it goes down. Of course, need to control the quantity to don't get injury.

Also, we are trying to change some of the details of my game, just trying to improve day-by-day.

Q. What details of the game are you focused on? Your last coach was trying to be more aggressive.

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think, of course, I'm always aggressive player, but it's just depends of the moment on the tennis court. For example, the match like today, you can't be that aggressive, especially in outside court, because the wind bother me so much. You don't hit as clean as in the indoor court.

For example, in China, I was feeling I'm hitting the ball more clean because there's not wind effect. Also in the center court, when the roof was closed, that was totally indoor court, so you will feel everybody just more clean.

I'm sure the other player who play from outside, they feel the difference. That's why today looks like I'm not that aggressive like before. I always trying to be aggressive player.

Q. We don't know who you'll play next, but you might play Emma Raducanu. What do you make of her as a player? How much would you be looking forward to that match?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think she's such an amazing player because she won the slams title with, like, amazing history from the quallie directly to the champion. I think that's unbelievable. For me she has that specialty. If you want to be that place, I think you need to have the tennis. Obviously I think she has.

Doesn't matter who I play, I think it will be a tough match because now we are in the third round. Every opponent is tough to beat.

I'm trying to focus more on myself. I think if I play my game and focus on the present, everything will just go, yeah.

Q. Do you have a favorite Australian tennis player?

ZHENG QINWEN: Australia tennis player? De Minaur. When I was playing the junior Australian Open, I saw him on TV. That was unbelievable because he runs so fast on court. That was insane.

When I watch how he run and how fast he can be, I would say, Oh, I hope on court I can be same fast like him. He was really good player.