US OPEN

August 26, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

Z. QINWEN/A. Anisimova

4-6, 6-4 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. Tough three-set win. Your thoughts on your performance today.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, like you say, it's very difficult match for first round. She's a tough opponent to face, but I'm glad at the end I found a way to been through the match and win this match. Yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. The backhand return you hit at 2-2 that came back over the net, how much of that is skill and how much of that is luck?

ZHENG QINWEN: 99% luck (smiling). No, 98. Just 1% of skills, because honestly, I never done that in practice, not even once in all my practice being more than 10 years, and I made it this time during the match. It's just all lucky. The wind helps a bit, as well (smiling).

Q. It was a very important point. I think it was 2-2, Love-15, you were trying to break and then you broke in that game in the second set. Is there any connection there in terms of how big that point was for you, or was it just a feeling in that game that got you the break?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I haven't thought that point is the key point that makes me the breakthrough, because generally I start to feel better at the end of the first set. So, you know, I'm just trying to find my chance. When the chance arrive, I wish I could take it.

But I'm happy it is that game. I got a little bit lucky and I'm able to take the game, and at the end, to get the second set, because was really difficult, the match today. She's hitting the ball very strong, and the only things I feel like I can do today during the match is just to stay with her and find my moment.

Q. I was curious if you think that's a match you might have lost not so long ago, losing the first set and, you know, first round after coming off a big win in Paris, I'm just curious how you feel you're a different player now, especially after Paris.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, I'm totally agree with you. It's the typical match I will lose, especially after huge success, because as I know myself, usually after huge success I will get a little bit too high, and until the reality slap me down again and I come back to the ground and trying to be humble and work hard.

So this time when I get a success, I'm telling myself, I don't want to let this happen. I'm going to continue working hard, keep the stable mindset. I'm really happy to get this match, because she's really tough to face. Like you see, she's in the final of Toronto. I think one of her best surfaces is on hard court.

To won this match which means I make one step forward in my mental side, yeah.

Q. How hard is that to do? You said after the match you were happy with the Olympics, but your focus is on now.

ZHENG QINWEN: Uh-huh.

Q. I mean, some people would still be celebrating if you win a gold medal. How hard is it to, okay, now I'm going to focus on... and not think back about that?

ZHENG QINWEN: It is really hard, because I know gold medal means a lot to my country, for my family. Also for me. It's not, like, you get gold medal before. You have the first one, of course you're going to stay long time in the successful feeling. I done that in Australian Open but I was just in the final, and effect takes me so long to come back to reality.

I had this experience already, so this time when I had success in Olympic Games, to come to next tournament, I say, everything starts zero. You are not anymore Olympic champion. Just be humble and trying to work, fight every single match, because if you don't fight, you have a big chance you lost, yeah.

Q. If I'm not wrong, you born in a city named Shiyan. Can you tell us a little bit about the economy, the daily life, the memories you had as a child in the city.

ZHENG QINWEN: It's a small city, like, really quiet. We have a lot of mountains there. When I grow up, you know, basically I just go school every morning, and afternoon, as well. And going to play tennis after 5:00, but my father, he will push me to do some fitness after tennis.

Basically it's just simple, normal life. I mean, hung out with the friends and going back to dinner with family. Yeah, very simple and very basic.

Q. You are having a really good year, starting with Australian Open and the Olympics. What's your mindset now? What do you think you need to go a step further here in New York? And if the energy affects you in any way.

ZHENG QINWEN: I think if I want to do better in New York, I think I need to continue find my real game on hard court and maybe trying to be a bit more aggressive. Because in the match today, I would like to be aggressive, but I feel that, no, today if I go aggressive, maybe I have more chance to me, so I prefer stay more calm and then just play one more shot.

But yeah, I would say just trying to fight every match and let's see what I can do this year in New York.

Q. In terms of New York as a city, for you, what kind of emotions do you feel here? Is it a city that works for you? It's very loud, it's always moving. Do you prefer quiet? Do you like this? What is your relationship to New York?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, it is always going to be noisy in the stadium, and especially they add a new rule you can come in every single game so the people always move more. So right now as a player, we have to try to adapt to don't focus the people who is working, because sometimes when they are wearing bright colors, they are so easy to catch your eyes when you are there returning.

Yeah, that was funny but actually it's the truth. But this is how it is. New York is busy, is street style. I mean, it's different. I like it. Yeah.

Q. I forget what it was you said in Paris, something about showing your father, proving this to your father that you could do it. What sort of conversations did you have with your father after you won the gold medal? Was he proud of you, or did he say, like, Back to work right now?

ZHENG QINWEN: He's obviously proud of me, for sure. I know deep inside him he must be so proud, but he doesn't show that much to me. He start to say, Now we got to move next journey, next steps. There is more dream for you to fight. Keep working hard. Because he always taught me since I was little kid, if you don't work hard now when you're young, I mean, you miss half of your life, because when you work hard and you enjoying the same time, you benefit a lot.

Yeah, my father is always a hard worker mentality. He teach me a lot, yeah.