AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 16, 2024

Shang Juncheng

Press Conference

SHANG JUNCHENG/M. McDonald

6-3, 1-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: First of all, congratulations, Jerry. Welcome back to Melbourne and getting your first-round win here. Do you feel anything different from one year ago?

SHANG JUNCHENG: Yeah, I think conditions are obviously different. Today was, like, tornadoes on the court. Both of us were struggling kind of on the service games. Running was also tough in the heat.

But definitely the crowd hasn't changed and the courts hasn't changed. Playing good here. Very confident. So happy to get the win.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In Paris last year you mentioned Zhang Zhizhen and Wu Yibing were like brothers to you. Zhang is also through to the second round. How special would it be to have two Chinese men pushing deeper into the Australian Open?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think tennis is obviously an individual sport, but definitely I'm very happy for him. I'm actually hitting with him tomorrow. He's got a lefty, so we'll get a good hit tomorrow, prepare for our second round.

Q. Is that your first five-set win?

SHANG JUNCHENG: Yes. I played one in Paris, and unfortunately lost that one. Today was the first one.

Q. You're racking up a few firsts here at Melbourne Park. How would you say it compares to the other slams for you for your game?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think conditions are very fast here. The air is really dry sometimes. For me, I think I like it when it's fast. It's got a good Chinese crowd here, too, so they were supporting me like crazy today. Thanks to them. It was good energy on the court.

Q. Your next opponent is an Indian, Sumit Nagal. What do you know of him, and how do you look forward to that match?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think obviously first rounds, every match in a slam is really, really tough. Especially this is only my second time playing here main draw. Sumit has been on the tour for a very long time, a really experienced player.

I don't know much about his playing style, but from what I saw, he's a really fast guy, kind of similar to how I play I think. For sure it's going to be a long battle. I'm very excited.

Q. What do you like to do in Melbourne to unwind?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I've been actually pretty boring. I've done nothing, like, really fun other than preparing for the tournament. I mean, I love this venue, staying on-site, watching the matches. I mean, I think the most fun is just to be here and practicing, playing the match.

Q. How different does it feel this year compared to last year?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I would say nothing has changed. I mean, obviously with the wind, I was struggling big-time in the second and third set. Playing here, it's unbelievable. Today I was on a bigger court, as well.

Overall I feel great. I mean, last year was like maybe a week ago, it feels like. For me, everything has been very positive so far.