CHINA OPEN

September 27, 2024

Shang Juncheng

Press Conference

BUYUNCHAOKETE/Shang Juncheng

6-7, 6-2, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. A very good match. Very sorry for the loss. What are your comments on your performance? Was it not up to your expectations or was it your opponent?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think in general I'm very happy to be playing in the Diamond Court because the China Open, playing in the Diamond Court is very meaningful.

I think Bu has been performing very well, very good serves since Hangzhou. On the other hand, my level of play was not so good. I was not playing as good as I wanted. My level of play wasn't up to par compared to Bu. I think he did really well today.

But it wasn't unexpected because he has been a very steady player, within the top 100. No regrets on my side. Something to think back on. But overall I'm happy with the performance.

Q. You played very good in the first set. You talked about it's something to reflect on. What are the things you want to learn from this?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think the courts in the China Open are slower compared to Hangzhou. Last week I was a bit sick with fever. These are factors that I have to take into consideration.

My attitude on court wasn't good. I was a little bit pessimistic during the match. There were some negative thoughts. I will have to adjust my mentality to prepare for Shanghai.

Q. You talk about Shanghai. What are your goals for Shanghai?

SHANG JUNCHENG: My goal is to not blow my nose every two minutes. Let's start from there.

Q. This is your second year in a row playing the China Open. There have been upgrades to the facilities. Can you talk about your thoughts on that.

SHANG JUNCHENG: I think the locker room facility is really important to all players because this are our working conditions. It was good last year. The fitness area, the locker room was good last year. It's also good this year, which provides us a really good environment to work with more room.

In general I've had really good experiences here.

Q. After turning pro, you've been focusing on singles. Would you consider playing more doubles to raise your level in singles? Do you have thoughts on that?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I don't play very well in doubles, to be honest. I think in the coming two years I don't have plans for doubles.

Q. 250, 500, 1000, you've been improving step by step. You take each opportunities seriously, right? How do you perform in these important matches to continue with a steady performance in this schedule?

SHANG JUNCHENG: To have steady performances, you really need to be healthy, have a good mentality. Physicality is more important compared to mentality. Last week I was feeling okay. To my regret, I couldn't continue this week. I will continue to strengthen my core to avoid more injuries.

Q. You see young players in the China Open just turning pro in recent months or years. From your perspective, any recommendations or suggestions to these young players in transition?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I'm also searching for my own way. I don't know what's best. Sometimes I play very well in one week. Sometimes I don't feel anything in a week. I think it really depends on different players.

You need to find your own way and direction, your own style of play, how you approach tennis. Something we share in common is to be positive, 100% effort, to resolve the issues.

Q. Any thoughts on the improvement in China's men's tennis?

SHANG JUNCHENG: I've been saying that we have three players in the top 100. It's extremely positive. We've been encouraging each other. We are being compared against each other in 500 level. We also saw Zhang Zhizhen and Bu competing in a semifinal in Hangzhou. It shows that we can have steady performances on the tour. We have that ability.

Tennis is a personal sport. I do not think too much about how I can contribute to the overall performance. I focus on myself. That naturally will lead to positive results.