CHINA OPEN

September 28, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

ZHENG QINWEN/K. Rakhimova

6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, how was it playing your first match back in China since the Olympic gold medal?

ZHENG QINWEN: Feels so, so good 'cause I'm so surprised of the crowd today. Was full. I'm really happy about my performance on court.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. The atmosphere tonight, does it compare to any other match that you played? Were you prepared for the reception? It's second round of China Open, you've played bigger matches, but talk about the atmosphere.

ZHENG QINWEN: Like I said, atmosphere was insane. I never thought will be so full in the center court. I know they put my favorite music, you know, when raining stop. They just did everything for me.

Honestly when I play last year in China Open, I remember wasn't that full. Today I see there's nearly no empty seat. So I enjoy a lot to play back in China Open this year.

Q. Earlier you said you wanted to put the pressure of the Olympic gold behind you. Tonight you looked like you had something to prove. How were you able to put that pressure behind you as you prepared for this match?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think after US Open, I been working really hard because I know there's long time I didn't practice normal. Also I put lot of work in my fitness. I didn't stop to put my effort in after Olympic Games.

I did some mistake after Australian Open. This time I just say I just going to keep pushing hard and let's see if I can keep rising up without any backup.

I'm pretty happy with my performance compared to the last year here in China Open. Let's see where I can go in this time.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. On court you were pretty relaxed. You were clapping your hands and singing together with the song. What were you thinking? Do you have any singers you like, Chinese folk music?

ZHENG QINWEN: I was very surprised they played the song. I try to be serious, but they were playing that music, I couldn't control myself. I had to move with the music, sing with the music, because they were playing the songs I love.

I was curious why the audience wasn't dancing with me. I like the Chinese traditional music. I listen to it a lot. I understand that the China Open played the song because of me.

Q. We see on the practice courts a lot of people were there to see you train. Were you impressed by anything they said to you? Any messages to your fans?

ZHENG QINWEN: On my way to practice today they said something like, Something something, I don't remember Qinwen, Qinwen, you are the best, you are the prettiest. They are really friendly. They make many slogans, posters. I'm really surprised that they really like me. I did not have enough time to autograph each poster.

I was in the practice court, there were so many people. When I was on court today, I saw that there wasn't any empty seats. I was a little bit shocked. I haven't seen this kind of thing for a while. When I was playing the US Open, there were empty seats there. So the atmosphere wasn't as great as what we saw tonight.

Q. You came here a few days early. The fans were thinking that you might have time for commercials, marketing activities. Can you talk about your daily routine. When you have some time off, did you do some more physical training?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, indeed. People are saying that I was too thin during the US Open. Indeed, I agree. So coming back to China, I wanted to focus on my physical training. I want to be stronger. I don't want to look as thin as I did in the US Open.

After the US Open, I told my team that we really need to focus on the China season. I have high hopes for the China season. Before the matches I would have some promotional activities, commercial activities, that might make me a little bit tired. I like this kind of balance. It's like a new beginning for me when I go back to the courts.

But I do not have one day off when I'm here.

Q. A lot of fans were cheering for you tonight, as well as at the practice courts. With so much support, do you feel more expectation and burden?

ZHENG QINWEN: No, I don't. I'm past that period when I felt more burden. If I were 19, I would feel nervous because this kind of support would be a burden for me.

I'm 21 now. I've been through the waves. Now I'm here on the center court, on this stage. I think this is normal. I am just playing what I'm training for.

I've had hard training just to maintain this level of tennis and play on the center court. So I am treating this as normal as possible. I know I need to have a steady pace to face each opponent.

Q. I believe in the China Open, coming back to Beijing, you can feel the enthusiasm of Chinese fans. After the gold medal at the Olympics, with the diversity of the activities, a lot of people are getting more interested in tennis. What's your view regarding the tennis industry in China? Any things you would like to say to the new fans of tennis?

ZHENG QINWEN: For the talent in China's tennis, I am a player of the new generation, I'm not in the best position to have comments on that.

I will answer a question when I reach 25 probably. But to see that more people are interested in tennis, I'm really happy with more children getting interested in tennis, which means more people would have the opportunity to participate in this sport, more people will be playing. You will see more men's, women's players getting into the top 100 with better performances. This is a good trend. It's a very good beginning.

I always believe that tennis in China will eventually be at the center of the global stage. I believe that the Chinese people will be able to compete against other top players of other countries.

Q. I am from Hubei Province. I posted something, when you finished your last shot, the whole arena was covered by a golden color. The great achievement brought in a harvest season for China's tennis. I received a lot of likes from the people. Any things you would like to say to those fans from Shiyan? I received a comment from a friend, she has a 10-year-old daughter watching your match, she was very excited. You also mentioned the talent pipeline in China. Could you say a few words to the tennis industry in Shiyan?

ZHENG QINWEN: First of all, I'm really happy that I have so much support from Shiyan. I haven't been back home for a while. I miss Shiyan. It's hard for me to find time in my schedule to go back.

I started in Shiyan when I first played tennis. If there are more children that can go outside of Shiyan because of tennis, that would be a good thing.

Promoting tennis? It's hard to say. Tennis requires opportunities and resources in different aspects. Even if you are talented, you still need a good coach, you need a good team, you need strength. There's no shortcuts. You have to be really grounded, take it step by step.

I think when you are grown up, you need to meet the good people, good team to help you grow up.