CHINA OPEN

October 6, 2026

Sun Xinran

Press Conference

C. GAUFF/Sun Xinran

7-5, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Talk about your experience here at the tournament, how proud you are of your run.

SUN XINRAN: This was a really tough match today. She's really good opponent. I'm just really nervous before the match. First set going my way, but after I miss like few important points.

The second set, I mean, I just feel I'm getting tired. Just after I start, I don't know, lost my confidence and I don't know how to play.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. In terms of the three matches that you were able to play against top senior opponents, what did you learn about yourself and where do you feel is the gap that you might take with you to try and close?

SUN XINRAN: I mean, I see professional players have really big difference junior player. They know how to change their rhythm. Their serve is much better than mine. So I will try to improve myself and I will try to improve my serve and my energy on the court.

Q. The crowd was loud for you tonight. What did it mean for you to play in front of a home crowd?

SUN XINRAN: They support me really a lot. I can hear them. This really give me so big energy. I just want to say thanks to them. Hope you can support me in the future.

THE MODERATOR: Chinese questions.

Q. Coco said you are more mature than she was at your age. She thinks you're really talented player with a lot of potential. What does it mean to you?

SUN XINRAN: I'm really happy to hear that. I still have a lot to learn from her. When she was younger, she achieved much more than I did. There's so much I have to learn.

Q. There are a lot of reports about you, a lot of debate about you. What are your views on these comments?

SUN XINRAN: I try not to be disrupted by these reports and coverage. I think to some extent it shows my improvement. I would try not to look at these because I don't want to be distracted.

Q. Compared to other matches, what was the biggest difference?

SUN XINRAN: First of all, her rhythm is much faster than other players. She's able to mix it up. Her serve, she's more powerful, more aggressive. Much better than me.

There's so many things I can learn from her.

Q. In the past three matches, any changes you see in your future career?

SUN XINRAN: I think this tournament gave me opportunity against top players. From first round to the third round, you see the players are getting higher in their ranking. It just shows I have the ability to play against those players. This really motivates me to improve myself.

Q. Coco said she did not know much about you, didn't get to see many videos of you. In the first set it was very close. In the second set can you talk about any of the details in the second set?

SUN XINRAN: I think there were a lot of opportunities in the first set. There were chances I could take to win the first set.

The second set my mindset was affected. There was some collapse in my emotions in the second set. I was extremely nervous. I also respect her.

This is something expected, the result of this match. It was very tough in the second set. This is a good lesson for me. I will learn a lot from the second set.

Q. I noticed on court you have some habits. You would go to grab the towel yourself. Is this something you have made in the process?

SUN XINRAN: I never put thoughts into it. It might not change because the habits make me feel relaxed.

Q. From the Orange Bowl championship to the two Grand Slam runner-ups, US Open champion, two wins in the China Open, what was the biggest improvement in the past year for you?

SUN XINRAN: I think my mindset. I have grown a lot. Even though there was an upset in the second set, the mindset has helped me win many matches. Compared to a younger self, I might not have done better at the beginning of the match.

I kept talking to myself in a very positive way to talk to myself.