US OPEN

August 30, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

Z. QINWEN/J. Niemeier

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Very successful first week. Straight sets this time. Your thoughts on your play from the opening round to now as we proceed forward into Week No. 2.

ZHENG QINWEN: Today the match I start really well compared to the round before. I feel I have my focus since the beginning until the end. I didn't drop down.

Today my opponent, she serves really well, so I feel I found the right tactic.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What was it like having the crowd behind you? They were really loud out there for you today.

ZHENG QINWEN: It feels enjoy because when you have the crowd behind you, you feel you have the more energy to play. I remember two years ago when all the Chinese crowd is with me. They screaming in Chinese language. That will disturb me because I'm not used to so many people supporting on me, but after two years I feel the supporting from them will give me more courage, and I feel I have more power to be through on court.

Q. Don't know for sure who your next opponent will be, but if it's Donna, what thoughts will you have about the Olympic matchup and this one?

ZHENG QINWEN: For me it's just another match to go. It doesn't matter who I play against. But of course, in Olympic Games I fight a lot. I mean, I almost give everything Olympic Games, but I'm sure to playing US Open. I also going to give everything I had in that day because I also consider US Open really, really important for me because slams is always my dream.

I don't know who is going to win that match, but I will be prepared. It doesn't matter who I play against.

Q. If it is Donna, what do you remember most from playing her at the Olympics? About her game, I mean.

ZHENG QINWEN: She's good at changing directions. If you give the ball soft to her hand, she will make you move. Yeah, because in that match we play on clay, so it's different games, different tactic style. Right now we come back to hard court. I'm sure it will be more difficult because I consider she's more hard court player instead of clay court player.

She did a really good job in Wimbledon, so I consider her as a tough opponent. I have to be ready, play 100%.

Q. If you compare yourself now to a year ago when you had your first Grand Slam quarterfinal here, what ways do you think you've improved or developed the most?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think I read the ball better on court and compared to one year ago, I see more what I have to do in different situation because one year ago sometimes -- you know, I remember the third round against Italian player. I was 1-4 down in that moment, and I have to fight all the way through that because in that match I play really bad. My serve wasn't there. I had a lot of easy mistakes.

But today the third round I'm really happy about my performance because I feel I'm more powerful, but I know better how to control the power, when to use the power and when to hold down a bit trying to, you know, play with the opponent. I think that's important for my game.

Q. After having a big result like you did at the Olympics, it can be hard to follow it up so shortly thereafter. What were your expectations coming into this tournament, and how proud are you that you were able to make it to the second week?

ZHENG QINWEN: I feel really proud for myself to making the second week because I didn't have easy opponent, especially in the first round, you know, against Anisimova. She's really, really good player.

It's typical match that I will fall there after big victories because I always been telling myself, no, you can't fall here. You need to keep yourself up. You need to keep fighting. I'm really happy that I have been through all the matches and come again here in round of 16.

For me, I work a lot on my mental side to keep myself strong, to keep myself hungry to play because I love to play here in New York. Also, I've been set higher target, yeah.

Q. Speaking of targets, I wanted to ask you about you're potentially in a good position to qualify for the WTA Finals. How big of a goal is it for you, and what are your expectations from the first edition of the finals in Riyadh?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I don't know yet if I can make it. Of course, if I can, my target is to make it. Because after Australian Open, I let so many chances slip away from my hand. I didn't think about it. You know, the 1000 tournament I have to treat important because I have WTA Finals.

I remember that moment I treat the match like, okay, let's just go on court and have some fun. Then I started to, you know, smash the ball crazy in some matches. There's a lot of 1000 tournaments which I can take a lot of points, but I didn't make it. So right now I feel the pressure behind of me because I really want to play the WTA Final for my first time. So right now I'm just going to fight every single match and take care.

It doesn't matter if it's big tournament, small tournament. I will give my best in every match.

Q. I just wanted to ask you what the reception has been at home, what your sense of it is, and how much more attention did you get after the Olympics as opposed to the Australian Open?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I think after the Olympic Games, everybody in China start to know me. Because after Australia Open, maybe more the tennis fans, they know me.

I remember when I come back to the street in China, I have to put my cap because if one recognize me, there will be a lot of people come to ask my signature.

Before I leave to the airport I was there 1 o'clock in the midnight signing one hour because all the Chinese people. I can't reject to them because it's a kid. Yeah, it's a lot of attention.

I realize I have to behavior correctly, more responsibility. Of course, it's pressure, but also it's a chance for me to become a better player.