ROLEX SHANGHAI MASTERS

October 6, 2024

Wu Yibing

Press Conference

C. ALCARAZ/Wu Yibing

7-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Wu Yibing. We will begin with questions in English. First of all, not the result you were hoping for, but still want to congratulate you on your excellent performance tonight on court. Were you satisfied about yourself today?

WU YIBING: I would say 70 percent I think I did what me and my coach talked about before the match, like the tactic-wise. I'm feeling very confident on court today, which I'm trying to play my most comfortable tennis, which is like more attacking, and good serve percentage, first-serve percentage today, and good movement. But in important points he's better player, and he's facing a lot of these kind of situations with top players, so I would say he's much more experienced than me in these important points.

I think, in general, this match I'm 70 percent, like I said, 70 percent happy with myself, but still some decisions I could make better, let's say the first set, in the tiebreak, and in the second set. I actually forgot the score that game I got break. I thought I was 40-30 up, so when I serve first serve to the wide, I thought that was game, so I kind of forgot the score when I try to serve second serve, that's why I take the risk to hit the backhand down the line. Then, the refs say, Game, and then I realize, Okay, I lost the game, so it's a little bit unfortunate, yeah.

(Questions in Chinese.)

Q. Although the result is not what you hoped for, actually, Carlos said that he didn't want to play with another Chinese player. This is a very high praise for you. Talking about your first set and the second set, what's the reason that you can't keep the excellent performance of the first set?

WU YIBING: Perhaps I'm one of the hardest Chinese players for him. I think I'm doing pretty well in the first serve. My return serve is not very good. I had chances in the first set because he did poor in certain returns, but I didn't use and make full use of the opportunity.

Then at the second set I had opportunity with break point, and I didn't realize that I was lagged behind with 30-40. If that's the case, I might not take the risk. Then I realized that I lost the game when I heard the umpire saying, Game. I think this is something that I shall summarize and improve the next time.

Q. In the tiebreak you took the lead at the beginning, and then you were caught up. What happened?

WU YIBING: I broke him a point, so I led the tiebreak 2-0, but it was a very close tiebreak. I am sure that he has experienced more such situations, he has played more players and better players. I think that the next step I do is to try to experience more matches with the condition of keeping my body physically well. I am confident that I can continue to improve from losing the match to having the opportunity to win one match after another.

Q. Actually, the first point in today's match is a seesaw rally. Is that point giving you a lot of confidence?

WU YIBING: I can only say that both of us are fully prepared and ready for the match, because usually you don't see a lot of rallies at the beginning of the match. In particular, if you play with a player with a very good serve, you seldom see these kind of long rallies. But I can say that we entered the match pretty quickly.

Perhaps you're right, but while I am on the court I didn't think that much, I only want to focus on the point.

Q. In the previous match, and I already see that you were massaging your elbow, and I also see you practicing your arms and elbows today. Could you talk about your condition physically.

WU YIBING: You know that I have an elbow surgery. I want to go back to Hangzhou tomorrow to see the doctor, because in order to protect my body I want to practice the arms and focus more on my arms. That's why I felt a little bit uncomfortable with my elbow, so hopefully I can find out what happened with the elbow tomorrow when I go back to Hangzhou and get ready for the next match.

Q. Although you lost the match, I want to ask you, do you think you are very satisfied with the performance of the first set, or can you do better, and any plans in terms of your schedule for this season?

WU YIBING: If I win the first set I can say that I am satisfied, because when we are on the court, to win the match is always the result we hope for. I enjoyed today's match, I cherish this opportunity to play with the top player, but ultimately I still want to win. Sadly, I didn't win, I can't say that I'm fully satisfied. I think that I played certain points pretty well, but I also lost some opportunities. I think these are perhaps the only opportunities to win the match or win the set when I play with such high-level players.

I am going to Shenzhen and play the challenger event there. I remember that back in 2016 I won an event there, so I have very good emotions about the city. For me, that was also a breakthrough.

Then after Shenzhen I have another event, so hopefully with these experiences of playing with top players in the Shanghai Masters I can go to Shenzhen and then have some new breakthroughs there.

Q. In the Chinese swing I want to say that you experienced some difficulties in the first few weeks, and fans are very supportive. Also, at other times in Hangzhou and in Beijing some of the other Chinese players, like Bu, were performing pretty well. Were you a little bit anxious at that time, and then after these two matches in Shanghai are you feeling more comfortable and confident?

WU YIBING: I'm very happy to see the other players winning the matches. I also want to have my opportunity on the court. Like I said, every player has their path, and it's important how we handle the difficult times. I think I'm motivated by the good performances of other Chinese players, so this is all very positive. Because of my injuries, I couldn't play a lot of matches in the first few weeks in the Chinese swing, but that never changed my determination.

Actually, I was pretty much hurt in Hangzhou, but I want to prove to all of you that, no matter how hard and tough the injuries are, I am determined to come back. I think I have shown to you once again that I am a very determined person. I will always come back, no matter what difficulties I experience.

Q. If we look at your previous press conferences, and if we listen to what Carlos said after today's match, we can realize that your relatively low ranking is because of your injuries. I am curious about the fact that, how do you make up for this, because you might have played less matches than other Chinese players, how do you handle that?

WU YIBING: I think what's important is to focus on my body. We are players and all the aspirations of all players are to play matches and to win. I am not giving in or letting down because of the fact that I cannot stand on the court. If you ask me to go fishing, I might not be happy, but I am very happy to practice more and harder to be able to stand on the court.