AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 10, 2025

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Welcome back to Melbourne and the Australian Open. Talk about how you're feeling being back on the courts again this year.

ZHENG QINWEN: I feel very excited to be back in Australia Open. All my team, we love to play here in Australia.

I had good memories last year. So let's see what I going to do this year (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. In terms of your preparation, can you give us a little bit of a description of when you were able to begin your pre-season, what it's looked like with Dante? What has it been like leading up to the tournament?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, the tournament last year, it's been a long time, so we take some time off after the season.

It's not easy to come back 'cause after long break, your body gets more slow. Also we have a team change. Dante join my team.

We have a good work together. He brings me some new opinion. I am, like, just follow his advice. Like everybody see, I didn't choose to play any tournament before Australia Open because I think for me is important to have long time pre-season.

Yeah, let's see how it goes this year.

Q. You played Aryna in the final last year. What is the toughest thing about facing her? What separates her from the rest of your opponents?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think each time I play against her, the results getting closer and closer, which is positive things.

But, yeah, it's tough 'cause it's not just you get closer and closer. It's when is the time that I can actually beat her. But it's tough to say 'cause I am just constantly improving my game, adding more things, trying to approach new area.

Of course I believe she did, as well. You never know your opponent, maybe she's going to improve. You know tennis: if you don't work any more, you also drop your level.

It's hard to say when is the time I can beat her. First of all, I just wants to think my next round, not her yet, yeah (smiling).

Q. Obviously the last time you came here you made it to the final. What memories do you have of that? How does it stand out in your mind as a significant experience?

ZHENG QINWEN: Hmmm... That final brings me a lot of good memories, but in the same time some pity and some sadness because I didn't take my chance. I would even say the sentence I ruined my chance because I feel I could do better.

So takes me a while to recovery from that lost. At the same time I really learned a lot. That's why each time I play against her it's better and better. I didn't see her any more like at beginning. In US Open I play against her the first time.

I just really looking forward to the present. I don't think any more about the past, what I did, 'cause I just realize if I just focus on the moment, I will be better person and a better player.

But I would like to say that all my team, we love Australia, yeah.

Q. What do you think about in terms of goals with your team for 2025? What is the key for you, the thing that you are focusing on that needs to happen for you to be able to reach whatever that goal is?

ZHENG QINWEN: I am not going to say specific my goal. I will keep it for myself, by my own.

But if I am a boss in my team, I think I am a tough boss for them. I've been pushing everyone. I always feel like my practice is not good enough. I always feel there is something I could do better. Always in the fitness side is the same. Treatment is the same.

To the coach I say, I think my backhand down the line

is to improve. I think my return is to improve. I always come on the court with, Okay, we are not good enough. I need to have this mentality to be better players.

I'm right now top 5, but still far away from my goal.

Q. You had a practice session today with Iga. She's come out of her doping now. Do you notice any drop in her confidence level when she approaches you? If there is a drop, do you make an effort to make her comfortable around you or something like that?

ZHENG QINWEN: I mean, it's tough to say 'cause it's her problem. I can't really enter. I don't know exactly what's going on. I just can wish all the best for her. There's nothing more I can tell.

Q. You were saying how you were very demanding with training. How much do you think has your confidence changed from a year ago? Do you think you've become more assertive, more self-assured?

ZHENG QINWEN: I am always very confidence on court I would say. It's just before when I don't have the same result, maybe people can judge me, say, Why you have so much confidence when you have nothing?

Right now because my result is there, that's why the confidence become one of the positive things. But I believe if you want to beat your opponent, the first things I need to have is the confidence. If you don't believe, you are not going to make it.

I allow myself to be confidence, but still with control, not too much. I know sometimes when I'm overconfident, I can't listen any advice. I'm trying to control in the best level. Not too much. Not too low.

Q. Off the court you have the new deal that was announced today, also deals that were announced during the off-season, like right after Riyadh. How much does that load, that kind of commercial load, impact things for you in 2025? Do you have to be a lot more disciplined in terms of how you do your schedule or things? How much impact does it have on your tennis having to kind of have all these partners now?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think it's my pleasure to have Dior with me. Since I was 16 years old, Dior has been one of my favorite brands really. I had nice shooting experience from them. When the picture comes up, actually I am the most happy one. Say, That was good pictures, I love it (smiling).

Yeah, when you have sponsors like this, I think you need to make sure you also have the correct behavior inside and outside the court 'cause you want to match with those high brand. For me, Dior is a very, very high brand, everybody knows.

Yeah, I just am happy to work with them and thanks that they choose me because there is lot of Olympic champion. I just say I'm lucky. Sometimes I really feel I'm a bit lucky.