CHINA OPEN

September 27, 2025

Zhu Lin

Press Conference

M. ANDREEVA/Zhu Lin

6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about the match, what you think the challenge was against Andreeva. For a player who is as young as she is, what impresses you about her game?

ZHU LIN: Yeah, I mean, it was a really tough match for me. I mean, she played really well. She's in the top 10 obviously for a reason.

I just think also today she's, like, basically everywhere on the court. She's moving very well. It's a bit challenging for me to try to open the court.

Also when I try to make decision to go for the winners, like, at some point make unforced errors. Yeah, it was really, really tough match and really good performance for her.

Also, I just really enjoyed play on the center court, feel the energies from the home crowd.

Q. How would you summarize your experience at the 2025 China Open in terms of the whole thing, not just on court, but facilities, off court, all that?

ZHU LIN: I'm just so grateful to get the wild card to be able to play here in the China Open. I just feel the tournament, like, it's just getting better and better each year. It's one of the biggest tennis tournament in China.

I really hope I can stay longer in the tournament, but unfortunately the opponent is just too, too strong (smiling).

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. You talked about playing on the Diamond Court, you really enjoyed it. Could you talk about why? Is it different playing in front of the home crowd?

ZHU LIN: First of all, the Diamond Court is large with a lot of people coming in. I enjoy the sound the ball makes here on the court. That helps me focus. This is a Saturday, so I saw many people here.

Especially playing at home, it gives me extra motivation. So thank you very much I could play at the center court.

Q. After your comeback, any adjustments to your goals? How will you make your career last longer?

ZHU LIN: Last year when I got injured, I wasn't sure I could come back in a healthy form. Coming back on the tour in this condition, I'm really grateful. I really cherish each opportunity. I hope that I can play as long as possible in a healthy form match after match.

I don't have any expectations regarding the rankings. If I can stay steady, come back into the top 100, or be participating in Grand Slams, I would definitely work hard for it.

Q. Talking about the season this year, at the 1000 levels you've had good results. You had a very significant win in the last round of the China Open. Many Chinese players are suffering from injuries, then come back. How much time did it take for you to actually come back to the level you would like to play?

ZHU LIN: I would say that this year, starting from April 2025, I started with smaller matches in smaller tournaments. It took me 15 to 20 matches to get me back on court.

Physicality-wise, I need to adapt to the intensity of the matches because the scheduling is quite tight. It requires more time for me to recover as quick as possible. As I'm getting older, it would take more time to recover my body.

I will be more careful in terms of what tournaments I go to. Some tournaments I'm not playing well, I'll try to skip it. Before I would play each tournament. Now I'm being more selective.

Q. Any memorable interactions with the fans, gifts, messages, anything inspirational you can share?

ZHU LIN: Every time coming back to China, I see many fans. Even though I don't receive gifts, I saw a painting by a fan. It was a picture I took in Montreal. It was a large painting. It took the fan several days. I was very appreciative. Even though I'm not a player of a high ranking, I still have fans supporting me at this level.