AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 26, 2024

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

Z. QINWEN/D. Yastremska

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, congratulations. You're into your first Grand Slam final. Just talk about your emotions and everything you're feeling today.

ZHENG QINWEN: For sure, the feeling was incredible to arrive at my real first Grand Slam final. That's my dream since I was a kid. So right now for sure I'm really happy, but I know there is still another fight to go. I'm trying to control my emotion right now (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Congratulations on making it. Not only is this your first Grand Slam final, but along the way you haven't met a player anywhere near the ranking of your opponent, Sabalenka. How does that play into the buildup to the big match?

ZHENG QINWEN: I'm sure the final will be really competitive, because I think Sabalenka, she's one of the, I would say, most big hitters right now in the tour. She got the most big serve, most big forehand, big backhand. She's really complete player.

Like you say, I haven't faced big seeded all the past round and she will be the first one I will face. But, you know, is a match, so let's see what gonna happen the final there.

Q. You said you have dreamed about this for a long time. How does the reality compare to the dream so far?

ZHENG QINWEN: How do you say? My dream is not just the final. That was just -- I'm almost there, but I know this little distance still far away. So I would not say that I'm already there. Yeah, there is still something needs to go on.

Q. Do you believe in, like, fate, in destiny, you know, kind of? It's the tenth anniversary of Li Na, you're back with your coach, there is a lot kind of going on that makes it feel like things are meant to be. How do you process that? How do you deal with that idea?

ZHENG QINWEN: I believe on the destiny. Yes, I do. Yeah, like you say, but, you know, I try to don't let other things affect me even if destiny.

You know, when everything is working well, I believe on the destiny. But if the destiny doesn't go on my side, I don't believe that at all (smiling). Only depends where destiny goes (smiling). Yeah.

Q. Will you be talking to Li Na before your match, looking for any advice on how to handle it?

ZHENG QINWEN: She already gave me advice last time. She tell me, Don't think too much. Just go for it. That's enough, I think (smiling).

Q. Last couple of years I think you have made huge progress. So if you look back on the years, is there any specific tournaments or matches which gives you many confidence? Is anything turning point of your career?

ZHENG QINWEN: I will not say there is specific match turning my career. I think everything is just add, add, continue to add a bit. There is no sudden explose. I think all the explose is just had a lot of work behind of that.

I think every match is important. I will treat every match with the same important like always, because I think the details at the end makes the difference.

Q. I know we seem a little bit obsessed with Li Na. I'm sorry.

ZHENG QINWEN: No worries. I love her.

Q. Have you had multiple meetings with her in the last ten days while you've both been here, or is it just once? You know, can you just elaborate a little bit more on the influence that a player like that had as an inspiration for your career?

ZHENG QINWEN: The last time I meet her, you guys already see in the video. I mean, she means a lot I think for all the Chinese kid in the same age like me. Because I think she's the first one who won the slams. I mean, that's unbelievable for Asian woman in that moment.

Then she gives a lot of hope, like, in that moment, like, young kids of me. Yes, I think she means a lot for everyone.

Q. Just a question about experience. On Saturday you're going to play an opponent who is in her third Grand Slam final. You'll obviously be playing your first. What challenge do you think that brings kind of against somebody with that experience?

ZHENG QINWEN: Oh, I think challenge is everywhere. Even is not her. I mean, there is still going to be challenge on my side, because, you know, to arrive in the final, everybody needs to face the pressure in the final. Who can deals better and who can performance their tennis, who is the one who's gonna win the match.

Yeah, I mean, that's one of my challenge. I need to deal with it. I will trying to work on. There is nothing more I can say. I will say enjoy the final and let's fight, yeah.

Q. Australian Open, is it of any special significance to you? If you're going to make your first Grand Slam final anywhere, does Australia mean something special?

ZHENG QINWEN: Of course is special, is my first real time. Li Na won here as well. So that's can't be more special than here in Australian Open.

We have lot of Chinese crowd support me in the stadium. Feels like I play in China. That's amazing, yeah.

Q. You mentioned about the destiny or like fate. I was wondering if you're kind of like superstitious person or you don't believe or you don't have any jinx or specific routine before the match or something?

ZHENG QINWEN: I have specific routine. It's just you guys never see. Actually, our team a little bit obsessed with the routines, but I don't want to tell more about the details because sounds too much crazy. (Laughter.)

Q. Wondering what you're going to do for the next two days, little less than two days until the match. How do you think you're going to spend your time? What will you think about before this big match?

ZHENG QINWEN: I mean, I gonna try to recover my body to arrive 100% to be able to run a lot in the final, for sure. Yes, to try to study a little bit the opponent and see what is the tactic going to be in the final and to prepare myself mentally. I think that's the goal.