ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 4, 2024

Wu Yibing

Press Conference

WU YIBING/N. Jarry

6-2, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Wu Yibing. We will start with questions in English. First of all, huge congrats, this is your first time to break into the third round in Shanghai. You were in the last 32 in Shanghai, because it was a 64-draw back in 2018, but to be back in the last 32 here, how do you feel differently?

WU YIBING: I feel great. I played some great tennis. I think maybe that's the best match I ever played in my career. I was very focused facing Nico. He have a huge serve, I think one of the best servers on tour, and I prepared a lot before the match. I tried to, like stand different position on returns, and try to copy different situations, which I'm really happy that today I have all done it in the match.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. It was a very composed performance for you. Were you nervous at all, and how much did the crowd help you?

WU YIBING: I think today he have also like a bunch of his fans, which maybe helped a little bit the home fans to, you know, have like little competition, like really outside of our tennis courts. So, of course, many of my friends came today, and I think this is mostly it helped the crowd to be more focused on the court. Because everybody can see, the stadium here, it's very large, and the people can be a little bit noisy sometimes because, you know, I think we're still in the, not beginning, but we're trying to still learn, the fans are trying to learn tennis rules. I think we're really improving a lot. By us playing better and better, I hope new fans, they will understand how to behave during tennis matches.

(Questions in Chinese.)

Q. When we watch this match we can see that you are in a very good physical condition, and then this match shows your level of tennis, is this a very correct assessment?

WU YIBING: I caught a cold yesterday. I had a sore throat, but I'm feeling better today. I ate pears yesterday, and also I had my Thermos with Coke and ginger with me today. Apart from that I don't think I have a major injury today. Yes, very happy.

Since I am pretty healthy, I don't want to respond to the part of your question about my injuries. I think I am focused on today's match. Today's court is pretty fast, and for Jarry, who is a very tall player, he might be experiencing challenges to a fast player like me. Apart from some small ups and downs in the first game, I became more and more stable in my tennis, and that helped the whole match.

Q. At the moment of your winning the match we wanted to cheer for you, and you are so composed, you are very calm, and then you cried out. What did you say?

WU YIBING: I was so focused on the match until the last point. I know that I have to be very focused. In his last game I was not very happy about my errors, because before that I had a pretty stable game in returns. Before the match I discussed this with my coach.

Also, I just want to follow the crowd after the match, so I cried out. I may seem very calm, but I am very happy indeed.

Q. I love the cap you wore yesterday. A friend of mine told me that, some people, it's suitable to become an idol, others are very good at doing themselves. How would you react to this comment?

WU YIBING: What do you mean?

Q. Some people are more suitable to become an idol, while others are good at doing themselves.

WU YIBING: Well, anyone has his idols, no matter what job they are doing. For me, I have my idols, my professional idols, and my idols in music, for example. I might be an idol for some young players, but then I think, like what you said, it's more important to be yourself, to do yourself.

When I listen to music, especially when I am in a low mood, and then I put on some music of my idols and then I'll feel very relaxed, and I will feel that this is more enriched life. So, if I can manage to make some changes in others lives, that would be a terrific thing. I think that we need to respect our idols, rather than disturbing them or their lives. Different people have different ways of showing their emotions, but ultimately I think mutual respect is very important.

Yesterday a WTA player made some comment about the city of Wuhan. People may have different opinions, especially on the social network, time will give everyone a satisfying answer.

Q. I can see that your coach was quite nervous during the match, so could you talk about his help to you.

WU YIBING: While I had injuries, I couldn't play a lot of tennis. My coach is a very experienced coach, and before that he was also a very experienced and excellent player, so he gave me his thought. Some coaches in China may find it a little bit different to comment on things that they themselves haven't experienced. My coach discussed with me about our tactics before the match, and then we talk to each other about my health conditions, whether I have injuries or not. So, he's like a family, that's why I said a few days ago that I am very grateful for him. In the world of tennis it's actually not easy to find someone who shows genuine care for you. Coaching, by its nature, is a job, but I think my relationship with my coach is more than this transactional relationship. He's like a friend, family, he's always showing great care and support to me to help my tennis.

Q. We know that there are, it's only natural that there are ups and downs for professional tennis players. When you are in a great condition, do you have any ways to continue this great condition?

WU YIBING: I think each player has their habits. Rafa has his habit, I have mine. Before I serve I will bounce the ball four times. If I want to be at the top of the game, I have to calm down and these small habits help me to calm down. So, I would love to repeat these gestures, which I am so used to, to try to keep a very great condition. I think many players have these type of small tricks or habits, which help them in one way or another. These repetitive tricks or habits calm us down and sometimes would also give us joy. When I play games, I would repeat a game a lot of times to try to get all the trophies.

Q. My question is about the next match. Your opponent is either Carlos or Jerry Shang, which one would you like to play with?

WU YIBING: I am going to come tomorrow to watch the match, and I also have a practice session tomorrow. You may come and we can watch the game together.

Q. You retired in Hangzhou and in China Open, but I think it's great that you leave your best condition for Shanghai, because Shanghai is a 1000 Masters tournament.

WU YIBING: Oh, I remember the day I met you, and I remember you said that you were not in a great condition, and you wished me well. I think your encouragement is very helpful, because I needed encouragement to boost my conditions. The team has been working very hard, but everyone was a little bit disappointed when I retired from the tournament. I had a practice session in Beijing and felt pretty well, but on the second day when I had another practice session, I felt awful. So, I then decided to quit the China Open and then come to Shanghai to focus on the Shanghai tournament. I'm not afraid of challenges and difficulties, and my team and my coach have given me a lot of support.

Sometimes I have the feeling that I might have practiced too much, especially when I feel that I'm in a great condition physically, but perhaps this might not be a positive thing, if you look from the longer perspective. So, over the past days I practiced, but not over two hours, for example. So, perhaps it takes time for me to get to know what is the best schedule for me to do practice sessions and also play matches.