ROLAND GARROS

June 1, 2025

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

ZHENG Q./L. Samsonova

7-6, 1-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations. That was a very big battle from you. How happy are you to be in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros for the first time?

ZHENG QINWEN: I am super happy, honestly. There is not many words can describe my emotions because I've been trying every year, and that's the real first time for me to be in quarterfinal in Roland Garros.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English, please.

Q. She's always been a tough opponent for you. What do you think made the difference today because you had to fight really hard?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes. You know, I think she has a really fast game, one of the fastest forehand on tour, I guess so. Especially today, she played really well. She almost don't miss any first serves. She had super high first serve percentage. I didn't look the stats, but I think it's over 65, 70 for sure.

You know, it happen a lot time against her. Sometimes I win; sometimes I lost. Today the match was just, you know, fight. There's nothing more I can say.

Of course, I think I got a lot of chance in teh second set. I didn't take the break in the beginning, but it's okay. At the end I'm just happy to win, and that's it.

Q. Obviously when you came into this tournament, the last time you were here at Roland Garros was winning the Olympic gold medal and an incredible moment. Have you felt like a defending champion in some way this year because of that success here last summer?

ZHENG QINWEN: It is true I won the gold medal last year, but I don't consider myself as a defending champion at Roland Garros because it's Swiatek who won Roland Garros last year.

Still, it's different because Grand Slam we need to play seven matches, and the Olympic Games is six matches to get a gold medal.

Of course, I beat her last time, so I had a lot of confidence on clay court, but I really don't consider myself as defending champion. Right now even I'm in quarterfinal, I think I'm still a bit far, and I just want to stay calm and fight every single match. Forgot what happened last year, but just fight at this moment in Roland Garros.

Q. Do you think you will always have a special relationship with this tournament and this place because of that Olympic gold?

ZHENG QINWEN: I would say definitely, yes. I still remember how many times I fall on the ground last year. I told all the media every single time, I can't say more things because I just incredible, so happy.

Even me today I still remember the Olympic Games moment on court. I say to myself during the match, Keep fighting, just keep going on, don't look at the score, and let's see what's going to happen. At the end I get the match today.

Q. You keep adding more things to your game... at the net, the slice, drop shot. Can you just share a bit of the process you add about this with your coach because you're already at the top, and you're still improving?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think to improve is the basic because if you don't improve as a player, they'll analyze you. If you don't add new things, you will be so predictable in front of the other players.

I think today actually I don't do too much drop shot. I don't go to the volley too much because she had really aggressive game. Or when I make her move or she miss, I give her more shot ball today, so she made lot of good drop shot. But it is true, I would like to play more aggressive, going more to the net, improve my game, be able to do everything in tennis.

Q. We saw just Iga Swiatek was just on court and was down and then came back to win against Rybakina today. For the last four years the only player to beat her at Roland Garros is still you. Different tournament, but still at the same place. I'm wondering if you can describe what it took to beat her here? You're the only person that's been able to do it on that court in four years.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, she's been so successful on clay court, especially here at Roland Garros. I remembered when I beat her -- actually, before entering the match, I say to myself, This time I'm going to get it, because I just have the feeling. Then obviously she play incredible.

I mean, last time I remember how solid I am on court. In that match I almost don't give anything, easy mistake. Just be there, and then my ball is really heavy and playing aggressive same time, and I feel good, my serve in that day. Still, that's one year ago. Right now we are in Roland Garros.

I feel she's doing amazing here, but you know, for me I will just keep going because, like I said before, I want to stay longer here in Roland Garros.