The end of the Elite Trophy in Zhuhai also meant the end of Zheng Saisai's season, with the Chinese going out on a high after reaching the semi-finals for the first time since 2015. However, the wildcard talked to CGTN Sports Scene's Wang Dong earlier during the tournament, about her best moments this year and her ambition for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, for a special episode of Beyond The Baseline.

She talked about her mantra for success, saying, "Patience is very important and not to thinking too much. Just work, work, work. You never know the next time you may taste success. I am not pushing myself for now. I am just enjoying. In the practice I work hard and in the match, I try to relax and just do what I do in the practice."

While looking back at her recent success, Zheng, who won her first WTA singles title in the U.S. and also reached the French Open doubles final, told CGTN Sports Scene, "I think I am enjoying the peak of my career. I did some good performances this year. In the French Open doubles I made it to the final with Duan and then I won in San Jose. That one was really special. I didn't expect it and I took great confidence from that tournament."

The World No. 37 has also opened up about changes in her mentality and technique.

"I think biggest change for me is the change in the mental part. I was rushing towards success because all the people around me told me I am good and I will be good. So I always expected that I will play well, but that made me nervous during the match. I used to question myself. Then I calmed down and I was more focused in the match. I told myself that don't think about the mistakes and just keep playing for the next point. Also I improved a lot with my technique. Four years is a long time and all the while I was going on the right track. I was positive and people around me have been very positive. They believe in me and that gives me a lot of energy."

Zheng has also spoken about the recent success of a slew of Chinese women players on the WTA Tour and highlighted the importance of the recent emergence after a brief dull period following legendary Li Na's retirement.

"Four years ago, when I came to Zhuhai, Li Na was retiring at that time. PengShuai was injured. That time I was just growing up and I took a lot of pressure because Zhang Shuai wasn't playing that well. I remember that time I was already number one in China, but still, I was nobody. That time I took a lot of pressure and people were pushing me to go up. Now Chinese tennis is growing," she said.

"Now we can see Wang Qiang getting through the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open, and she did an unbelievable job on the Asian tour last year. Also, Zhang Shuai reached Grand Slam quarterfinals two times. This is really exciting for all the Chinese fans. We are all growing. All of us want to be there."