Zheng: "I am very motivated to play here in China, I have great expectations"

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One of the major protagonists this week in the WTA Beijing is undoubtedly the great Qinwen Zheng. The Chinese player will be competing at home, enjoying the support of her people during what is the most special part of the season for her. She will start as the fifth seed in search of her first WTA 1000 title, and what better place to achieve it than in China after a successful summer where she won the gold at the Olympic Games in Paris. Now she will need all possible support to achieve great results that will place her fully in contention for the WTA Finals. So, what does she say? Does she feel the pressure?

- High expectations in China

“After the US Open, the first thing that comes to mind is the China swing, the WTA 1000 in Beijing, and Wuhan. People start to wear down towards the end of the season, but for me, it's different. I am very motivated to come and play in China, in front of my people. I know they will support me, and I feel quite fresh now to compete in all these tournaments because I have high expectations. Last year, with the Asian Games, I couldn't prepare well for Beijing. But this year, I've prepared well, and I'm eager to see how it all goes.”

- Do you feel pressure from playing at home?

“I don't see it as great pressure, but rather as great support. When I feel down, I see all the people supporting me, and at that moment, I think that if I lose, the next day they won't come to see me anymore. I will try my best to win the match, and the next day they will be happy to see me again. Playing in China is very different compared to the rest of the world. I know that practically 95% of the audience will support me. It gives me a lot of confidence and also a lot of energy when I'm on the court.”

- The support of her compatriots makes her play better

“The support of the fans is a great source of energy. That support gives me a huge boost, very positive as no one likes to play away from home. The local court is a great advantage that provides energy, and that energy raises your level. It varies, but for me, there is no pressure; it's motivation. I think I overcame that kind of pressure in the first year of my professional career; I'm already familiar with it.”

- About qualifying for the WTA Finals

“Upon returning to China, I see that more people recognize me. When I was at the airport, people didn't recognize me unless they were interested in tennis. My fame was limited to the tennis sphere, but now, when I go to a restaurant, people ask for autographs. I feel the impact and a sense of responsibility in China. I did well in Australia, but after that, I haven't been very consistent, so now it's a bit challenging for me to reach the WTA Finals. I need to earn points in these two tournaments. I asked my team, 'Why are you making me so nervous now?' I feel the pressure to go to the Finals; I need to make sure to play well here.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Zheng: "Estoy muy motivada por jugar aquí en China, tengo grandes expectativas"