Zheng Qinwen: Self-talk helps me maintain a peaceful mind

China's women's tennis ace Zheng Qinwen began the new season at the United Cup in Australia. She beat Marketa Vondrousova 2-1 (6-1, 2-6 and 6-1) of the Czech Republic and Olga Danilovic 2-0 (6-4 and 6-2) of Serbia in the two women's singles matches during the group stage, helping China make the quarterfinals.

Vondrousova is the reigning Wimbledon women's singles champion. When asked how she felt about that victory, Zheng told reporters "it's just a regular match. It doesn't matter who I play against."

In the contest with Serbia, Zheng paired with Zhang Zhizhen to play against 24-time grand slam winner Djokovic and Danilovic in the mixed doubles match. They lost 1-2 in the end (4-6, 6-1 and 6-10), but Zheng said she learned something from the competition.

"Playing against Djokovic in the mixed doubles match was very helpful," Zheng said in an interview with Xinhua News Agency. "Because it's different between watching him play from faraway or in the video and actually playing with him on the court. I have learned a lot from him, even in a mixed doubles match, because he is in perfect form with every skill and in every detail. I felt the pressure of facing the history maker in that match."

China lost to Poland in the quarterfinals at the United Cup. Zheng was defeated by the world's No. 1 female player, Iga Swiatek, 0-2 (2-6 and 3-6) in the women's singles match with a cold.

"I wouldn't say that I felt regret for the loss," Zheng said of playing against Swiatek. "I just couldn't breathe well. I was playing all matches with a cold. I kept feeling worse instead of getting better." It was Zheng's fifth loss to the Polish superstar.

Zheng went through a lot in 2023, including winning her first and second Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour women's singles titles, advancing to the women's singles quarterfinals at the U.S. Open and parting ways with coach Wim Fissette. She told Xinhua that all those ups and downs helped her grow, especially mentally.

"At the beginning of 2023, I was in a flippant and impetuous state," she said. "Then I began to talk to myself a lot to help me relax. I tried to maintain a peaceful mind but stayed sharp on the court. I'm still trying to figure out how to be the best of myself."