CHINA OPEN

October 11, 2026

Zhang Shuai

Katerina Siniakova

Press Conference

DABROWSKI-STEFANI/Siniakova-Zhang

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Ladies, an incredible run here at the China Open. A great two weeks overall. Can you reflect on your experiences here.

ZHANG SHUAI: Yeah, I'm super happy I play China Open with Kate. We make to the final. Since landing Beijing until today, only seven days. In one week, amazing week for me.

We did really great job. We give our best. Yeah, we feel super happy whole week. We every day better and better. Yeah, we will come back next year. We will try to win the trophy next time. For sure (smiling).

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: Well, I am of course also very happy to be on the same side with Shuai, especially here in Beijing. It was very tough week for me, but I was really happy to share it with you.

Definitely it's a great tournament, great two weeks. Even if it was not meant to be today, I really enjoy it. As you said, we did play our best - or we tried. Maybe it wasn't our best today, but opponent just play amazing.

Yeah, happy to spend week like this in front of the Chinese fans. I hope to be back soon.

THE MODERATOR: We'll do some English questions.

Q. Katerina, from your tactical perspective, what made the difference today? What did Gabby and Luisa do particularly well?

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: Well, I think they were serving well. Of course, from this it's all starting. When you're serving 180, 160 second serve, it's tough to do something, especially when they are both really good at the net.

Yeah, I think we try everything, but we were just missing by a bit. Of course, to compare it against them when they were really on fire and everything kind of were going their ways, it was very tough to find, like, some space to do anything or to change anything.

Yeah, I think they just really played aggressive, what they wanted. Really they didn't give us time to change anything.

Q. What was working with this pairing this week? What makes you guys so successful?

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: I really love to share court with Shuai. I think we are really trying to support each other, trying to be positive, trying to play our game. It doesn't matter how it goes, she's always there supporting, positive. The practices are really good, really high level.

I think we just have really good time together. If you feel well, you kind of play well. I just enjoying the time with her, with her team kind of overall.

I think that's it. Just like we feel good and we try to play good. No pressure (smiling).

Q. You could qualify for the WTA Finals with two different partners. You could qualify as a team and qualify with Elise or Taylor. Share your plans going forward.

KATERINA SINIAKOVA: Also that's why we didn't win because then WTA wouldn't know what to do because it never happened (laughter). No, I'm just joking.

I mean, to hearing it now it's actually incredible. It's amazing because we just play third tournament. To qualify from three tournaments would be, I don't know, unbelievable.

I don't know. I think we just stay in the present little bit. Of course, we are both qualified with some other player. I think we are willing to play it because next week we play with another player.

We don't need to discuss it now.

Definitely, as I said, I'm just enjoying the time with Shuai. Even if it didn't happen now or we didn't qualify, I'm really happy that I would play with her.

Of course, I'm looking forward for Finals. I'm happy that I can see Shuai there, as well.

ZHANG SHUAI: We try to make more player into the Final (laughter). We could play, like, two teams.

THE MODERATOR: Chinese questions.

Q. Shuai, you talked about 20 years in the China Open. You witnessed the growth of this event. We see more events in China, higher level. As a witness, what kind of biggest change do you see? When you were 18, something you had not imagined?

ZHANG SHUAI: I never thought in 2026 I would still be playing in the China Open as a player. This is something unimaginable. A lot of people are still 17 or less than 17. They're really good. It is unbelievable that we can do it now. We have been growing together and seeing that the China Open has become a top-level event compared to other events on the tour.

A lot of people prefer China Open, Beijing. This city has a rich culture. Before they come, they are really excited. My friends are calling me, asking me to visit some places. Sometimes they're confused about making appointments to those destinations. I would try my best to bring them to the places and try good food in China.

This time I was pretty late. I didn't have much time before the matches. In the future, if I have time, I will definitely bring my friends to show them around in Beijing.

Q. Shuai, this season has been really successful for you. Even though a few months left, we can say that this season has been really good. As a 37-year-old, what is most successful for you this season?

ZHANG SHUAI: This year I have been healthy: healthy body, healthy mindset. I keep fighting till now. I can be with my good friends to be in the doubles in different events. Deep runs in those events.

So I feel that on the WTA Tour, this community is like a family for me. These players, the staff members, people working here, it makes me happy.

I don't feel a bit that I want to leave this community. I really treasure the time here, every tournament, every event. We see those people, local people, trying their best to try to support these events. That makes me want to stay in the sport.

I have the motivation to continue to stay on the tour, to continue to try my best in this sport. I feel the urge and passion for it.

See you in Wuhan. Bye, Beijing (smiling).