World No. 7 women's singles tennis player Zheng Qinwen is back in Beijing, kicking off her preparation for the upcoming China Open. After a hectic schedule that included the 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris and the U.S. Open in New York, Zheng is now focused on a series of tournaments in her home country.
Skipping the Guadalajara Open, Zheng took time to recover, overcoming jet lag in just two days after her return from the U.S. \"I'm actually in a good form both physically and mentally,\" Zheng shared with China Media Group (CMG). \"I finally have two weeks for exercise.\"
Zheng's performance at the U.S. Open was commendable, reaching the quarterfinals and matching her best record at a hard-court Grand Slam before bowing out to Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka. Reflecting on her recent matches, Zheng acknowledged the challenges she faced due to limited training time before the tournament. \"I believe I would have performed better if I were stronger because I heard people talk about how thin I am in the upper body,\" she admitted.
Winning the women's singles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games has amplified both her recognition and the pressure to perform. However, Zheng views this pressure as a driving force. \"I consider the pressure as my motivation because you always have a new mountain to conquer in tennis,\" she told CMG. \"I still have many titles to win. I expect to challenge and surpass myself step by step. I won't dwell on my past honors.\"
With two weeks of dedicated preparation ahead, Zheng aims to reach her peak form before the China Open begins in Beijing on September 17. Her goal is clear: to excel in every aspect of her game and add more titles to her impressive career.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
