CHINA OPEN

September 29, 2025

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

L. NOSKOVA/Zheng Qinwen

6-4, 3-6, 3-0 (ret.)

THE MODERATOR: We will begin with our questions in English.

Q. Can you talk about the decision as to what you were feeling and why you chose to retire, then just reflections on the match.

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, because keep playing by a lot of repetition, I start to feel a bit more, which is normal. I already expect that. So I decided when the pain's going higher, for don't damage the area, I should stop.

I've been keep thinking on in the second set, so I keep pushing, pushing, until I say, like, Okay, that's it.

Q. Because we have seen a string of retirements today, you were coming back from injury, but Iga mentioned earlier the WTA requirements are crazy for the top players, I wanted to hear your reaction to that, if that's any part of today?

ZHENG QINWEN: I mean, this is part of the games. As a professional player, I mean, this is what it is because we have to play that many tournament because there is in the calendar.

I think my situation's different than them. I coming from surgery, which is really rush decision for me to playing here. But also is the right decision for me because I want to see where my body is right now. Okay, now I know to compete third set, the amount of hitting the balls is too much for me.

But I don't think for professional player the calendar is too much because the strongest players survive, and that's the rules in my head.

Q. How long do you think you're not going to be able to play following this? Are you going to have to rest for a few more weeks? Is it still too early?

ZHENG QINWEN: It's tough questions. I need to double-check with the MRI to see how is going after two matches, there is one three-set matches, how it's going inside with my elbow.

I think it's still quite positive to keep playing tennis because that's how you break the barrier. At the same time I got be smart. I know already in the second set I couldn't push more. So right now I see, okay, maybe I can play first set, but to arrive to third set is too much for my elbow.

I believe with time is going to be better.

Q. Can you assess your level? How pleased were you from first match to second match? Do you think even with the elbow today, today was a better level than the first match?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think there is some things I need to improve 'cause definitely I can make a better decision during the match, especially in some point.

But I think I'm trying to play more aggressive than before, like I said. But one thing keeps coming my head is should I keep pushing or should I stop. I think it's tough to really competing one match when you have this doubt mentality because either you go full or either nothing.

I remember last year in Olympic Games I was going full. I say if I have to break something, I going to break my body right now. But today is more like I want to save my body. I have lot of doubt in me. I think that's why I cannot show up my full level still.

Q. This year's China Open has been packed, especially in the matches you played. Many are turning into tennis lovers because of you and other Chinese players. How do you view your own influence in growing the sport here? What would you most like to focus on next to keep pushing tennis forward in China?

ZHENG QINWEN: I'm really happy and proud that I can be such a big influence for tennis in China because more people knows about tennis, more great we're going to be in the future.

Right now as you can see, many woman's tennis player, men's tennis player, they start to become better than the last generation. More people start to playing. I believe in the next five, ten years, they're going to be better players shows up.

One of the reason that I decided to play is because I know people love to watching me. Because of them, that's why I take a rush decisions to play. That's why I want to see where I arrive.

I'm just really happy to play on the Diamond Court. Also I felt very sorry that I have to retire because my body couldn't afford more. Yeah, that's all. Right now for me the priority is to recover and then let's see.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. Your serve good in this match with eight aces. Did you find yourself more familiar with your body, have a better assessment of your health?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yes, a more clear understanding of my body. I understand up to what level I will feel the pain in my elbow. Before the match, I was expecting that I will be playing with some pain. There are moments where I could have done better, but I was distracted by thoughts of whether I should focus or whether I should play more aggressive. These were distractions for me.

Q. Before you left, you received a round of applause. The fans would like to hear from you what exactly do you say to them? Could you tell us your next step in your recovery plan?

ZHENG QINWEN: I didn't finish the match tonight. I'm really sorry because I always say I want to stand till the end. I just had the surgery. That's why I was opting for a more conservative approach.

Next step? I'm not sure yet. We need to do more checking and then discuss with my team to see whether a three-set match can have a bigger impact on my body. This is something I need to discuss with my team members.

Q. You said in the second set you kept pushing. In the third set you were distracted. Did you see any technical difficulties from your opponent which added more pressure to your elbow?

ZHENG QINWEN: It has nothing to do with the opponent. It's just my serves, repeated serves, were adding pressure to some extent to my elbow with some pain. Also before this match, I would like to play this match to assess how much recovery is needed in my elbow.

Well, given it's not fully recovered yet, that's why it happened. It has nothing to do with the shots from my opponent. The pain only exists when I serve. Even with that, I was happy with the serve tonight.

The thing I could have improved was my mentality. I was hesitating whether I should proceed, especially in the second set.

Q. It is very challenging for players to recover from injuries, to go back to their past level. In terms of your own mentality, are you fully prepared for such things to happen, ups and downs...

ZHENG QINWEN: I don't agree with this question. It's not about the back and forth of the injury. I'm here to assess the recovery level of my elbow. I said this before the match. I'm not playing at 100%. I'm playing with pain. But the pain should be manageable. As long as it is beyond my control, this is the first time in my life to have a surgery like this. I will not be too aggressive against such a backdrop. I have to consider a longer professional career.