Facing the new 22, Zheng Qinwen is still trying on the way in fulfilling her dream of winning a Grand Slam championship.
by sportswriters Jiao Ziqi, Wu Zhi and Yue Wenwan
WUHAN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ahead of her debut at the 2024 Wuhan Open, Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen celebrated her 22nd birthday and sat down with Xinhua for an interview on Tuesday.
Zheng reflected on her breakthroughs and regrets from the past year and shared her hopes for the year ahead.
A SEASON OF HIGHLIGHTS AND REGRETS
At 21, Zheng made headlines by winning an Olympic gold medal, following in the footsteps of her idol Liu Xiang. She also reached the final of the Australian Open, marking the first time in a decade that a Chinese player had made it to a Grand Slam singles final.
"I think the highlight would definitely be winning the Olympic gold medal. It was a historic moment, and I'm honored to be a part of it," Zheng said.
However, her year wasn't without its disappointments. "I wish I had performed better in the final of the Australian Open or in the quarterfinals of the US Open," she admitted.
Winning a Grand Slam has always been Zheng's ultimate goal, and while that dream remains, it is yet to be achieved.
As a child, Zheng watched Li Na's Australian Open victory on television, which ignited her own tennis ambitions. Now, carrying the torch from her predecessors, Zheng is seen as the new leader of Chinese tennis - an honor she views as both a privilege and a responsibility.
"Being a leader in tennis means that every word and action of yours is under public scrutiny. You have to be more cautious with your words and behavior on the court, and you can't be impulsive. But I think it's a good thing because it means that someone is urging me to improve and become better," said Zheng.
"At the same time, it can also be pressure. You can't always live according to what others say. I need to find a balance and know what I should and shouldn't do while continuing to progress," she added.
NO "MOUNTAIN" IN MY WAY TO THE GOAL
After winning gold at the Paris Olympics, Zheng expressed her belief that she could beat any opponent and win a Grand Slam. Returning to the WTA circuit, she now sees this goal as "both distant and close."
"It might just take a moment of breakthrough. I believe that once I achieve that breakthrough, I can reach that goal. However, it also depends on how I perform during those matches and how I manage my mindset. There are many subtle factors involved, and at this point, it's really the details that will determine success or failure," Zheng explained.
Reflecting on her matches this year against world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka, in the Australian Open final and the US Open quarterfinals, Zheng remained optimistic despite losing both in straight sets.
"I don't see her as a mountain standing in my way. I truly believe I have the ability to defeat her, but perhaps my performance wasn't at its best because she had a lot more experience and played better in those moments," Zheng said.
"Next time I face her, I want to treat her as just an ordinary opponent, not as Sabalenka or as someone who has won multiple Grand Slam titles. On that day, those titles won't matter. I think that's one of the areas where I didn't do well in our previous encounters. I need to focus on how I can beat her in a match and bring my best tennis to the court."
KEEP FIGHTING, KEEP PROGRESSING
Zheng's first appearance at the Wuhan Open was as a wild card in 2019. Five years later, she returns as a high-seeded player. When discussing her rapid rise, she credited her training, strict self-discipline, and a professional team that suits her well.
"When your mind is fully focused on something, you discover that you will have an increasing amount of energy to unleash," Zheng explained.
She recalled her debut at the tournament as a time when she played fearlessly, but without a plan. Now, with more experience under her belt, both she and the Wuhan Open have evolved.
"The organization and arrangements are better than they were five years ago. In fact, since last year, I have already been looking forward to the return of the tournament," she said.
Since the Paris Olympics, tennis has seen a surge in popularity in China. More fans are attending matches, eager to cheer for Zheng and other Chinese players during the Chinese season.
"The increasing number of people who know about tennis this season is a good thing for me. Because when there are more spectators, players have more passion to compete," she said.
Zheng's image is now seen all over her hometown - on streets, bus stations and outdoor screens - bringing her continuous motivation.
"As it's the end of the season, everybody is tired. But for me, it's easy to gain motivation because I am playing in my hometown," Zheng said.
Looking ahead to the new year, Zheng's sights remain set on a Grand Slam title.
"I hope to have better breakthroughs in Grand Slam tournaments and WTA 1000 events. I also hope to fulfil my dream of winning a Grand Slam championship step by step," she said.
On Wednesday evening, Zheng will open her 2024 Wuhan Open campaign against Jacqueline Cristian, right at home. Perhaps her birthday wish will soon come true. ■