CHINA OPEN

October 9, 2026

Zheng Qinwen

Press Conference

ZHENG QINWEN/E. Svitolina

6-3, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Qinwen, congratulations. Back into the semifinals here. Can you talk us through your game today and how proud you are of your performance.

ZHENG QINWEN: It was a really great win for me. I think Svitolina, she also play her best tennis. I'm just happy to have lot of winner during the match, and at the end be brave in important moment. I finish with really good winners.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Some of your best results this season, quarters at US Open, have come immediately after that training block that you did in Florida during Cincinnati that you skipped. Did you expect to see such great results immediately after that? How pleased are you with how effective that training block was?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, even right now I think about it. What I did in that training block is still unforgettable. I've been facing a lot of tough physical conditions. Not only the weather, the training, but mentally. I couldn't play those tournaments. I have to accept. I needed this training block. I need to accept when the coach, they are hard to me on court.

I remember Pere, he say to me, Right now you are just 140 in the ranking. Used to be like 65 before. So now you need to listen to me more on court because you are not the top 10 you was.

I was really angry inside. But I have to calm down and say yes, that's the reality. Seems like the effort pays off.

Honestly, I didn't expect that, all this coming, because I'm just really focused on the present. In that moment I was too low to think far away in the future, yeah.

Q. Obviously making the semifinals here for a second time, a lot has happened since the first time that you made the semifinals.

ZHENG QINWEN: Uh-huh.

Q. How much have you developed as a player? How different are you now? What did you learn from that first time you made the semifinals here that you think will help you tomorrow?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think the first time when I made the semifinal, I was really, really tired, 'cause I was playing night sessions all the time. Especially that incredible match when Sinner playing Alcaraz, it was like three-hour match, and I have to play after. That's a bit destroying me physically.

I remember that semifinal when I faced Muchova. My physical condition was quite low and I couldn't get enough sleeps.

Right now, luckily I play day session and I had a two-set win, not three set. That can make my physical condition better than the last time.

Q. We noticed you flashed a little bit of a 2-4 symbol to the fans after the celebration. Why that moment and what did that mean to you?

ZHENG QINWEN: Well, it's because it's my first day as 24 years old, and my first win, so I just remember today is 24 years old officially. I'm not 23 years old anymore. Just to remember, you know?

Then my team, they keep telling me, Right now you're 24, you must be more mature than before. I think right now you should be more smart.

Let's see if I made the change (smiling).

Q. Looking ahead, either Iga or Elise. Iga, you've had big matches against her. What do you think it is that you do well that gets success against her and what's the biggest challenge to you that she presents?

ZHENG QINWEN: I think those important two matches I beat her is because I'm more consistent. I remember those matches when I lost against her, it's because she's more consistent than me. We were really close. We face each other lot of times.

Doesn't matter who I face. I'm sure if they arrive to semifinal, they will show up with their best tennis. I'm just going to stay there and play my tennis and let's see what's going to happen, yeah.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.

Q. A player is living a really shortened form of life, going through highs and lows. You're still reaching different milestones. What is your biggest lesson or takeaway that you have learned? If you were writing a book, what kind of story would you like to write?

ZHENG QINWEN: Going through this journey, there have been many chapters. I could write many chapters. You see the lows in the recent period. But in my junior years, there were many highs and lows. It's been like this all the way through. I didn't expect that the lows this time continued that long. That is why I treasure the opportunities now.

I used to think that winning a match is like drinking water: it is normal. But now I'm more grateful for every win because I understand how much effort I have made behind every win. I've learned to enjoy the wins and the effort on court.

Q. I see a lot of fans on the Internet are celebrating your first day as a 24-year-old. They see the gesture of 2 and 4. It reminds me of what I did as a 24-year-old. A lot of 24-year-olds are still facing challenges in their life. As a person who has gone through highs and lows, what kind of takeaways can you share with these people?

ZHENG QINWEN: My biggest takeaway is that lows are not necessarily bad. Being positive every day is really difficult. When I am low, I have the energy to make a breakthrough. I saw the shortcomings in myself. I saw the weaknesses of my personality. The lows actually helped me improve.

Those who are also younger, it helps you reflect. You are happy when you're on the high ground. It doesn't really help you to reflect. Exactly when you are in the lows, you should face the challenge. That's what helps you reflect and grow because you'll always make it back from the lows.

Q. Just before the match ended, I saw so many trending tag lines saying that it's strange to see you. You feel like a different person on court. You were playing really well, in good form. What is your comment on yourself today? Is it someone you're familiar with or someone you're not so familiar with?

ZHENG QINWEN: To other people, I might seem unfamiliar. I am going through the training every day. I've been in this form for a long time.

I want to be a more aggressive player. That has always been my dream and ambition. I'm really happy I have become like this over time. In previous matches I might be relying on my consistency and errors from my opponents. Now I seize the opportunities when I see them.

The last two points in the tiebreak I did very well because I took the initiative to win those points. I can actually control my winners, unforced errors. I will be making wiser choices in a match.

Q. The most important match is always the next one. What is your preparation for the semifinals, be it Swiatek or Mertens?

ZHENG QINWEN: Of course, I will watch the match tonight. I will do targeted preparations. The most important thing is to be yourself, to play your tennis, to implement your strategies, then to respond to their performance on court, respond to the pressure.

I think everyone is going to play their tennis once they get into the semifinal. The final tactic is mentality, aggressiveness on court.

We'll see. Thank you.