PORSCHE TENNIS GRAND PRIX

April 16, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

Z. QINWEN/S. Cirstea

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, congratulations on the result. A very strong performance against a tough opponent. Just talk us through your thoughts on the match.

ZHENG QINWEN: I think this match, like I dominate the game most of the times. Looks like easy but wasn't easy, especially in the second set. I was leading 4-0 up, and then I made a couple mistake and then she won three straight games in a row. That's a little bit like up-and-down moment.

But I'm really happy about my performance today. Strong serve, good moving on the clay court for the first match here.

Yeah, that's all I can say (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Congrats. In terms of the conditions here in Stuttgart, obviously you like to play on clay and are familiar, but does the way that the court and the balls set up here, is it a comfortable speed and condition for you?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, actually here the clay, it's very static. So it's actually more bounce like a hard court doesn't bounce that high. And also is clay court indoor.

I remember when I was playing clay court in Changsha, in China for the Billie Jean King Cup, the ball was more slippery, but here I don't have this problem, so it's a really nice clay court.

Q. Still on the clay topic, where does it sort of feature for you? Because I was just trying to think earlier today when I was watching you play that maybe it's your best surface? I remember the performance against Iga two or three years ago at the French Open, for at least a set and a half you were unbelievable, and then I was thinking, yeah, that was unbelievable, but then your hard court, then obviously getting to the final in Australia, but then maybe here, these conditions indoors, maybe it's kind of perfect for you or not?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, I always love to play indoor, because there is no wind effect, no sun effect. The condition is just, you know, like tennis, you will not get distract from the nature (smiling).

Then, yeah, it's like you can show more your tennis in indoor, more like straight, just tennis, tennis and mental of course, yeah. Then to play clay court indoor, obviously I love it. I mean, I always love to play on clay.

Q. In terms of after the Australian Open, how do you feel like you have handled, you know, kind of everything that comes after that incredible January? What have been the challenges? Yeah, just as we kind of look back a little bit on the hard court season, how do you feel like you handled it? Did it feel different or did it feel the same for you?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I try to tell myself just act like the same as before, but no, my trying is not working obviously, because I went through the next match and I feel I arrive on court with less hunger than before. That's happen, you know, in Dubai. Also in Indian Wells. You know, I had a couple of times failure like some matches which is normally I feel I should win that.

Yeah, because I lose that hunger and, you know, on court, the fight less than before, that's the problem of me in that moment. After the loss, you know, I try to remind myself, no, you have to keep this hunger for be able to win.

Right now I think I come back to the normal stage, which is, yeah, just be normal and trying to play your tennis and enjoy the fight (smiling).

Q. My question is also about clay. At the Australian Open you met Li Na and she won 2011 Roland Garros, and you won last year Palermo, it was also clay. Do you keep in touch with her now? Maybe she give you some advice for this year?

ZHENG QINWEN: I haven't got any chance to add her WeChat, because in Australian Open when I was really focused I met her only one time in the interview, and after, I have lot of things to do and I'm still in the mode of competition.

Yeah, if the next time I have chance to saw her and I'm not in a tournament and I will be calmer mood, maybe I gonna try to add her chat, and then let's talk about how did she won in all the slams and she can give me some great experience.

But right now I have never got a chance to talk with her. That's pity.

Q. I remember when you were in Australia, people were so enthusiastic about you, I mean, the Chinese people. What was the reception when you came back to China? Or haven't you been in China since? I don't know. What's the reaction in China?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I just come from China because I was there for the Billie Jean Cup in Changsha. Actually, that was crazy, because there's not a lot of security here like in WTA, and the fans was just jumping on me.

One of the kid is really funny, like the father was pushing him into my car, say, Hey, go there, sit and take a picture. Then they were, like, putting the pens on me, like this. I have to hide, like small. Yeah, but was good moment because they like me (smiling).

I feel a little bit sometimes when it's too much a little bit scary, but general, yeah, people get more attention on me, yeah.

Q. Was that the first time you went back after Australia?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, exactly. So actually I already passed the most hot moment that I was (laughter). I mean, that's good. Imagine I come back right after Australia. That would be crazy. I'm glad I didn't come back in that moment (laughter), yeah.

Q. On that topic, just in terms of your celebrity, I guess, in China, I know you signed a new deal I think with Lancome this past week maybe?

ZHENG QINWEN: Oh, it already shows up?

Q. It's on Weibo.

ZHENG QINWEN: Oh, that's cool, because I didn't go on Internet yet these days. Always in practice mode.

Q. Congratulations on that. I'm curious, in terms of the sponsor obligations and all of the photo shoots and things that you do have to do with all the growing attention and stuff, is it distracting? Is it difficult to work that into your training schedule, things like that? I mean, how do you manage that aspect of your professional life?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, you know, when you have to combination with shooting and practice, that was not easy, because I remember I need to wake up 6:00 in the morning, and then had the practice, finish at 11:00 or 12:00, and then go to the shooting in the afternoon.

So basically this time when I come back in China I do three, four days in a row like this, and then my head going, explode, and I was super tired and I have to play the match of Billie Jean King Cup, and I was on the court.

It's just I'm feeling in general tired every single day. But was nice, because I always love to do shooting because that's the way how I performance myself also off the tennis courts.