Entered the Grand Slam final for the first time and broke into the top ten in the world rankings

Zheng Qinwen: One step away

　　Reporter Liu Yao

　　Rod Laver Arena - This tennis court in Melbourne witnessed Chinese tennis player Li Na win the Australian Open title 10 years ago. Now, here again comes the highlight moment of Chinese tennis.

　　Recently, at the 2024 Australian Open, the 21-year-old Chinese "Golden Flower" Zheng Qinwen entered the Grand Slam final for the first time. Although she ultimately lost to the defending champion, Belarusian Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen's career has entered a new stage, and her world ranking will rise to seventh.

　　"My dream is not only to enter the Grand Slam final. I am only one step away from winning the championship, but this step may be very far away. I have not reached the final destination yet, and I have to keep working hard." Zheng Qinwen said. As long as you have not reached the top of the mountain, you will never give up and strive upward. Perhaps, a new peak for Zheng Qinwen and Chinese tennis is not far away.

　　Strength + luck

　　Looking back at this Australian Open, Zheng Qinwen, who played as the 12th seed, has been successful all the way. In the first round, she reversed the American player Kruger, and then defeated the British player Bolt. In the third round, Zheng Qinwen and Wang Yafan met in a narrow road. The two Chinese players staged a wonderful "Chinese Derby". The two sides fought fiercely until the "Tie Ten" battle in the final set, and Zheng Qinwen won the victory with difficulty.

　　To reach the finals, in addition to strong strength, you also need a little luck. In the top half where Zheng Qinwen is located, the top seed of the tournament, Poland's Sviatek, and the last Australian Open runner-up, Kazakhstan's Rybakina were all upset, clearing the way for Zheng Qinwen to advance. Subsequently, Zheng Qinwen defeated French player Dodan, Russian player Kalinskaya and Ukrainian qualifier Yastremska, and finally stood in the finals.

　　In the battle with Sabalenka, Zheng Qinwen revealed the gap in strength and experience. Facing the powerful attack of the "Serving Cannon", Zheng Qinwen was at a disadvantage in most situations. Although the score was behind, Zheng Qinwen still maintained his calmness and resilience on the court. On the one hand, she hit 6 ACE balls in the whole game (scoring directly). She hit 54 ACE balls in the entire Australian Open, ranking first among women's singles players. On the other hand, at the end of the second set, Zheng Qinwen saved 4 championship points in a row, allowing fans to see the young player's "big heart".

　　"This is my first Grand Slam final. Although the result is a bit regretful, it is also an experience for me. I enjoy this Australian Open very much. This is a very wonderful memory." The award ceremony after the game In the game, Zheng Qinwen said that he felt very complicated because he felt that he could play better.

　　Regarding Zheng Qinwen's performance, Sabalenka did not hesitate to praise: "You will have many opportunities in the future, and you will definitely win your own Grand Slam championship." A year ago, the 25-year-old Sabalenka won the Australian Open When she won her first Grand Slam championship, it was her twentieth time participating in the Grand Slam main draw. Now, Zheng Qinwen has entered the finals of a Grand Slam tournament for the ninth time. The excitement for this rising Chinese female tennis star has just begun.

　　More mature mentality

　　After losing in the final, Zheng Qinwen sat on the sidelines, covered his face with a towel and cried for a long time.

　　Breaking into the Grand Slam finals at a young age and becoming the second Chinese Tennis Association player to enter the top ten in the world after Li Na... In the eyes of many people, this is a moment worth leaving with a smile, but Zheng Qinwen is not satisfied and also Not satisfied.

　　"I always feel that I can do better, but I didn't do it today. I need time to calm down." Zheng Qinwen said, "I think winning the championship is in line with expectations. If I don't win, it means that I still have many shortcomings. Needs improvement. Maybe work more on the court, more work on the mental state and personal state."

　　A year ago, Zheng Qinwen set himself the goal of "entering the top ten in the world". Last season, she experienced highlight moments such as winning two tours, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open women's singles, and winning the Asian Games. She also suffered setbacks such as being eliminated in the first round of Wimbledon and ending her cooperation with her former coach. Although he failed to achieve his goal last season, in the ups and downs on and off the court, Zheng Qinwen increasingly knew how to adjust himself and develop a strong mentality.

　　"More expectations will bring more pressure. If I want to become a truly top player, I need to learn how to coexist peacefully with them." Zheng Qinwen said, "I know I have the ability to achieve my goals, but I also have to Learn to slow down and make progress little by little.”

　　Spaniard Riba, who "returned" to the coaching team in the new season, sees Zheng Qinwen's determination and growth. "I have never seen a player who works as hard as Zheng Qinwen. You can imagine what dreams she has in her heart. She really wants to reach the top of professional tennis, and her efforts are worthy of it all," he said.

　　continue to shine

　　During this Australian Open, Zheng Qinwen met his childhood idol Li Na. During the interview, she mentioned more than once that Li Na's victory at the Australian Open 10 years ago inspired her.

　　"I watched that game no less than 10 times." Zheng Qinwen said, "It was Li Na who planted the seeds of dreams into my heart."

　　Ten years ago, Zheng Qinwen, who was only 11 years old, received tennis training in Wuhan, Hubei. Li Na's Australian Open championship gave Zheng Qinwen and other tennis "little flowers" hope and goals to work hard for. "Before Sister Na wins, you will feel that the stage is untouchable. When she breaks this barrier, you will find that we can achieve it." When competing at Wimbledon in the UK in 2018, Zheng Qinwen and Wang Xinyu, Wang Xiyu and other players met Li Na, and her idol's affirmation gave her great encouragement.

　　Now, once again setting foot on the land of her dreams, Li Na’s instructions to Zheng Qinwen are simple and practical. "She told me not to think too much and just fight." Zheng Qinwen said with a smile that this was exactly what he needed to do most at the moment.

　　Chinese tennis has received one surprise after another at this Australian Open. Nine players competed in the men's and women's singles main draw, and the Australian Open Central Court ushered in the "China Derby" for the first time in the open era; 18-year-old Shang Juncheng reached the third round of the men's singles, creating a record for a Chinese Tennis Association player in the Australian Open men's singles. The best record in the competition; Zhang Zhizhen partnered with Czech player Makhach to reach the men's doubles semi-finals, also achieving a breakthrough... Currently, 7 Chinese Tennis Association players have ranked among the top 100 in women's singles, and Zhang Zhizhen became the first to enter the men's singles world Top 50 Chinese Tennis Association players.

　　In Zheng Qinwen's view, the outstanding performance of Chinese players shows that "the climax of Chinese tennis has arrived." Among the "Chinese Power" in tennis, Zheng Qinwen has become the most eye-catching one. In the future Grand Slam arena, "Queen Wen" will continue to shine. (People's Daily Overseas Edition)