BEIJING -- Competing in her home country brings a unique sense of motivation for Zheng Qinwen. Following an impressive journey to the US Open quarterfinals, she is eager to deliver another strong performance for her supporters at the China Open. However, this home-crowd enthusiasm also means added expectations.
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"I think to play in China is like playing the fifth Grand Slam for me," Zheng said during a pre-tournament press conference. "They are of equal importance. Of course, I want to perform super well in front of my people. I have extra pressure, yes, but I also receive a lot of support from all the fans."
Zheng, who is a wild card in the main draw at the China Open, aims to continue building on her recent success that has lifted her ranking from outside the top 120 to No. 52 in the WTA standings. She is set to face fellow Chinese player Shi Han in her first-round match on Thursday.
Prior to the US Open, Zheng had to go through qualifying in Toronto, where she exited in the first round, marking her first qualifying experience since January 2023. After that, she chose to skip the Cincinnati Open and engage in intense training, which contributed to her strong showing in New York.
Zheng is focusing solely on her present and future, determined to improve her ranking further. "Right now, it's a new tournament, we're at the China Open," she noted. "I expect this year will not be easy since my current ranking is still around 50. I still have a lot of matches ahead and want to win many of them."
She aims to demonstrate that her current ranking does not reflect her true capabilities. Zheng recognizes that her recovery from elbow surgery halted her progress, but she remains resolute in her aspirations to reclaim her former status as a top player. "Somehow the surgery stopped my progress; I had to start kind of from zero again. The ranking is just a number. I know what I’m capable of achieving."
Zheng has expressed confidence in her preparations for the tournament, despite dealing with an intermittent cough, which she doesn't anticipate will significantly affect her performance. Last year, she managed only two matches at the China Open before retiring in her second match and not returning until Doha in February.
"I have a lot of fans here in China, and they expect me to do well, just as I do," Zheng said, recalling her semifinal finish at the event in 2024. "I really want to perform well at the China Open, which adds extra pressure. I try not to let it weigh on me, but there’s always some level of it when I play during the Chinese season."