US OPEN

September 3, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

A. SABALENKA/Z. Qinwen

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, if you could, your thoughts on today's match.

ZHENG QINWEN: Of course the match went not in my way. I feel I really should been better. Whatever. It is tennis. It's fine, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. In terms of the match itself, what do you think would have made the difference tonight for you?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think I have to catch the important point better, because there is lot of deuce. In the beginning of the set I could have chance to make a break, but I just didn't get it there. Today I feel a little bit tight. And the serve also not as what I expect.

You know, for the last match I finish really late, so yesterday I cannot have my proper practice because I have no energy from no sleep.

Well, yeah, I believe, but today I feel I'm holding the ball better than last time. It's just, you know, there is some key point I didn't catch. Okay, even the score is like this, but I feel that I should have done better, yeah.

Q. Obviously she's a very good opponent and has had success here in the past. What is it about the three matches that you've not played against her, what is the consistent thing you see in kind of the matchup between you two?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I just think the next time I play against her maybe I should hold a rally better and play a little bit more relax. Because today obviously I enter into the match with a lot of nerves.

Of course she's aggressive, but I can see she's missing the ball sometimes. It's just, you know, I remember when I have the short ball in the beginning of the first game I could able to open the court.

Yeah, but I do feel it was better than the last two times, even the last two times has better score. But today I feel there is a key moment. Yeah, but it's fine. Is tennis.

Q. I just wanted to ask how much an effect you thought the late finish was from your previous match?

ZHENG QINWEN: Of course affects a lot. Especially I couldn't sleep after I finish the match 2:30 in morning. This affected I'm not able to practice yesterday, because yesterday I was feeling terrible. I couldn't wake up. Even I want to play tennis, but I don't feel I could do it.

But, yeah, I mean, there is another player finish, like, really late. I couldn't complain about nothing, because sometimes the schedule were like this. Yeah. I mean, yeah, if I hit some balls yesterday maybe would help for the match, but it's fine.

Q. What time did you get to sleep?

ZHENG QINWEN: That's a good question. I think around 4:30, close to 5:00 probably, yeah.

Q. Obviously you'll go home, I presume now, for the fall season in Asia. I'm curious how excited are you for the next month and a half getting to play obviously in China and other tournaments, and also obviously there is race to the WTA Finals which you're in the running for, all that. Can you look ahead a little bit about what you're excited about for the rest of the season.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I am really excited, especially I wish I had, like, some time to prepare because I have been always in rush since the Olympic Games. Actually, I'm happy about what I achieved today, because, you know, I only have three days for prepare US Open. I'm not able to do all my normal fitness program.

Yes, I already done the best I can, and of course today I can do better, but after today I will forget this match and move on. Just focus on the Chinese swing coming soon, because yes, I will be happy to play there again, because last year is the same, you know, after Asia Games five matches in a row I'm dead in Beijing Open. So I wish this year I had more time, yeah.

Q. How excited are you to play in Wuhan, to come home? What do you think that's going to be like?

ZHENG QINWEN: I'm sure they will put me that the prime time all the time. They will not put me late like here, I'm sure, and I will always get the court when I want, how long I want. This is the best things, because here is not easy to get the court. I have to fight a lot, even I'm seeded. I'm sure there will be my pictures in Wuhan.

Yes, when I think about it, I'm happy to be back in Wuhan, because last time I was only in qually, and right now I'm main draw as a seeded. Yes, let's hope something there.