CHINA OPEN

September 29, 2026

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, welcome back to Beijing. How have your preparations been for this tournament? What are your expectation here this week?

ZHENG QINWEN: Yeah, I think so far the preparation has been great. My expectation is just to try play my tennis every single match and let's see what's going to happen.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Obviously you had a great run in New York. I know you're hoping to build off that momentum. For the rest of the year, what are you hoping to get out of these tournaments?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, of course US Open I had lots of great match. But right now for me it's a new tournament. We're in China Open.

I think it's not going to be easy this year 'cause my ranking right now is still 50. I still got lot of matches to go. I still wants to win lot of matches.

Like I said before, I just wants try to fight every single match and don't put much pressure on myself, and let's see what's going to happen this year in China Open.

Q. I would like to know what kind of a challenge is for you playing tournaments here in China. We see how much love you receive from the people. As Italian, Jannik is always saying when I play in Italy, the days are endless: play, practice, media stuff. What kind of challenge is for you performing well in front of this crowd that loves you, but having long days?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I think the challenge is to have a balance between practice and trying to deal with all the sponsors event.

Second, got lot of fans here in China. Of course, they expect I do better in China. So same as I. I really wants to do good here in China Open. So this also put some extra pressure.

Like I said, I don't want to put extra pressure, but somehow is always there when I play in the Chinese season.

Q. You were ranked as high as fourth in the world. After the ups and downs of the season so far, how much does the ranking mean to you right now?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, I know why, right? If it's not for the surgery, I could keep going higher. Somehow the surgery stopped my progress. I have to start kind of from zero again.

Ranking right now for me is a number. Of course, it shows what I did in the last one year. I know where I'm capable to be. Here is not the place where I deserve. Of course, I believe I could reach higher.

Like you say, my highest ranking is No. 4. I still believe I could do much better than that. I really wants to see what I can bring in the future.

I know deep inside me, but I have to prove it.

Q. Obviously you talk about pressure. Sometimes pressure can be a negative. You also seem to play very well when the pressure is at its highest. How do you balance that when you play at home in China? How much does the China Open mean to you in your career? Last year you came back. Even though you were still injured, played those great matches. What does this tournament mean to you? How do you balance the pressure?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think to play in China is like playing the fifth Grand Slam for me. They are the same important. Of course, I want to performance super well in front of my people.

Like you say, I have extra pressure, yes. In the same time I also get extra support from all the fans, so I have nothing to complain.

They give me really good practice court here, so I'm able to get my time to train.

It's like I want so much to achieve a best result here in China. I am not able to do that, like, two years ago. It's like I'm close, but still I'm not there yet.

So let's see what I can do this year. No pressure. Just keep fighting and let's see what the result shows at the end.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. You just talked about you don't want to hear negative feedback on the Internet. While you're on the tour, how do you balance this mentality?

ZHENG QINWEN: First of all, of course there are good feedbacks and bad comments on the Internet. Secondly, I should learn to accept all comments, to tolerate all comments.

Of course, you cannot always be on the high point. If they feel happy by posting bad comments, it doesn't matter to me because eventually I'm the one who is playing the matches. If they can be humane enough, of course I'll be happy to hear those comments.

But the most important thing for me is to win the matches so I can silence all those negative comments.

Q. On a lighter note, you will hear popular music that can cheer you up. Any songs you would like to hear that would make you cheerful? Sabalenka says she will seek your advice in shopping in Beijing. Do you have any recommendations in terms of shopping and food?

ZHENG QINWEN: Music-wise, more passionate songs. I will not name the specific songs. I like upbeat songs.

As of now, I haven't given any recommendations in terms of shopping because I do not have that much time for shopping in Beijing.

Of course, they will go to Sanlitun, downtown places, local designers. These are special things. If you go for other brands, of course you can buy the international brands in other places. It will be very special to buy something with Chinese characteristics.

Q. After the Billie Jean King Cup you talked about you were not in a very good state physically. How is the recovery? How is your preparation for this tournament?

ZHENG QINWEN: Physically I'm okay. I have been coughing on and off. Not fully recovered yet. I don't think it's a big factor.

My physical state is okay, I think.

Q. After the matches and the season, as of now, what is the biggest improvement this year so far? For the China Open this year, what are the things you want to focus on?

ZHENG QINWEN: Improvement, baseline more consistent. When I'm making choices, options, I'm more clear-minded. Be aware of my choices on the court.

Of course, there are things to improve. I would like to improve my serve percentage. My first serve is pretty powerful. Of course, I need to improve on that consistency.

Q. This year we see that you and Sun Xinran have conversations. Also during the US Open. She says that you are her idol. You were young once and you looked up to idols. Can you talk about this mentality change?

ZHENG QINWEN: When I was talking to her, I congratulated her on her championship. And of course the championship last year, because these are really great achievements for the Chinese juniors. When I was a junior, I wasn't able to do that. I congratulated her on that.

The second thing is I told her after one or two years that I will see you more often on the tour. She is very talented.

I hope that in China we can see more similar players to elevate Chinese tennis to a higher level.

Q. Before the China Open last year you had the surgery on your right elbow. Looking back, were you expecting the impact from such a surgery, a very long recovery after the surgery? What is your debrief after a year?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, sooner or later I would have to go through this kind of surgery. After the surgery, during the recovery, because of a lack of understanding of the recovery, not enough visits to the doctors or receiving advice from different doctors, I was making some wrong choices in this period.

Injury, it is very common for all the players. The most important thing is after the injury, how do you recover as fast as possible.

To do a debrief of last year, because I was really rushed, I really wanted to play matches. My doctor told me I was able to play in those matches. But after these tournaments, the condition worsened, which took me longer to recover.

This is a good lesson for me next time.