WTA FINALS

November 1, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, it's your first time in the WTA Finals, first time in Riyadh. How have you found the experience so far?

ZHENG QINWEN: I love it. Especially it's my first time in the Finals. Then playing totally different country, I never been to Riyadh before. By far I enjoy a lot to stay in the hotel. Very nice. Was quite good organized this year. I enjoyed everything for the moment.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How are you feeling physically? You've played a lot of tennis recently. How would you compare the conditions coming from Asia to here?

ZHENG QINWEN: Is different. Especially I remember the first practice, the ball were flying a lot. There was 600 meters of altitude. Here the ball is different. Here the ball is lighter.

With few days' preparation I already start to get used to the new conditions. Now I just feel prepared for the next match.

Q. Many people when they see the kind of fandom that you experienced in China, they can struggle or feel the pressure. You actually thrived. Why do you think you were able to do that? Did it actually help you? Did it take you by surprise how well did you?

ZHENG QINWEN: Actually I was so motivated before Chinese season start because I really wants to play in front of my people. After three years in tour, I don't consider that as a pressure. I can use their energy for make me feel activate on court.

I remember some moment I was feeling a bit down, slow. Actually the encourage from the people in China, they build me up.

I feel, I mean, it's different compare to when I was 19 years old. I remember there were lot of pressure when they start yelling, C'mon, Qinwen. I start to listen everything because I understand what they say on the stadium.

Right now I use in the correct way and it can't affect me anymore.

Q. What do you think is the biggest lesson from this season?

ZHENG QINWEN: That's a good questions.

I think the biggest lesson I learn from this season is never let yourself going down, even you make a great result. It's so, so difficult to win the respect of the player, but so easy to lost. Maybe one, two, three tournament you let yourself down, you don't play serious, then suddenly all the respect is gone.

I learn, even have a great tournament, I need to maintain the level if I go. If not, it's better you don't stand on court.

Q. In terms of your coach, Pere Riba, what is it that seems to work so well for you, obviously before? Not many people know that much about him. What is it that makes him such a good coach for you?

ZHENG QINWEN: You talk about Pere Riba?

Q. Yes.

ZHENG QINWEN: I think he always has lot of passion on tennis. This is important. I think he really wants to do good as a coach. Actually not so many coach on tour, they have this type of passion. Many coaches, they just consider this as high prize of job. But there is few coaches on tour, they really love the tennis, they want their player become the best, they want their player improve every single day. I think he's this type of coach.

That's why we are always watching for more on court. Of course, when you watching for more, sometimes we fight because we have different opinion. But that's team. When you fight with the team, actually you are share different opinion or views. I mean, that's good.

Yes, we had a great year, especially with the Olympic medal. That was the best moment by far in my career. Also after Australia Open, we had couple up and downs but we learn from it. Now we are here from the WTA Final for the first time.

Yeah, I'm just really happy. Was a good journey with my coach.

Q. Do you personally have any reservations or concerns about playing in Saudi Arabia, given the human rights record here, particularly when it comes to women's rights and the LGBTQ+ community?

ZHENG QINWEN: No, actually I am not worried because doesn't matter where I go, I just play tennis. It's just a tennis tournament for me. I stand on the court, I play against another opponent, that's it.

Especially I felt if they can watch more woman athlete, how they are fighting on court. I feel sport is very beautiful to show the power of woman, to show the fight of woman, to show the energy.

So I think it's positive things that we have a tournament here because... I don't know, I always feel there's type of responsibility on my shoulder. I don't know where this come from. This is what I'm thinking.

Q. Do you have amongst the players good friends? Do you prefer to keep your distance because they're your rivals?

ZHENG QINWEN: My answer is very clear: I prefer always keep the distance with the player. Has a lot of competition with me. I am, like, type of sensitive with the heart. I don't feel if I become friend with someone and I have to compete with them on court, I feel I'm not able 100% focus and fighting. When I have to scream, C'mon, I'm not able to do that because I will feel a bit weird.

In my heart, I feel if it's a friend, I really want she win or she feel good in her life. This is opposite side than the tennis tournament.

Once I figure out that, I decided don't try to make a friend on tour because there's so many people outside of tennis world. Why I have to just make friends here? I come here to compete with them, to win the match.

Yeah, that's my opinion (smiling).

Q. How have you been with the other seven players here over the last few days?

ZHENG QINWEN: We are just saying hello. Sometimes say congrats to your great season. No more talk with no more people. I never go for more. I don't try to go for more, as well, yeah.

Q. This is the first time for you here. The round-robin nature of this tournament, it's unique. It's also unique you're going to play Sabalenka straight out of the gate. How are you seeing that challenge? What do you think is going to be the trickiest part of that?

ZHENG QINWEN: The trickiest part for me right now is how to really find a way to break through and trying to beat her. The last match, obviously I'm already more close.

If I'm able to really do something good, try to hold my serve well, try to break her in the early of the match, try to find a way to win, I think that's the most important.

I feel the level is there, everything is there, but you have to show it during the match.

Q. Did you see the portrait that you all took together in your dresses? If you've seen it, do you like it? With all of the photo shoots that you've done, do you feel confident in that atmosphere?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, I'm always very confidence in front of the camera. Not when I was 19 years old. I feel really weird. I always ask them, Please teach me some movement. Right now it's very flow, like I'm on the tennis court. It's the same for me.

The dress is really nice. It's from Christian Dior. Was outstanding dress for me. I feel the makeup maybe I can improve a bit (laughter). People say I look like 40 years old. The Chinese fans, they say that. I don't know why.

Yes, maybe the makeup, next time I could do it better (smiling).

Q. Have you seen the photo of all of you?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I see all of the girls. They were looking really good. I remember the Chinese fans, we say Jasmine Paolini also looking really good sitting by that chair, yeah.