China's World No. 5 and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen met with press on Friday, and talked about a potential clash with defending champion Aryna Sabalenka at this year's Australian Open.
Zheng was the runner-up at last season's Australian Open, after falling to the Belarusian 6-3, 6-2 in the final. The two will be in the same half of this year's main draw, joined by the USA's Coco Gauff. Ahead of the tournament, Zheng met with reporters and talked about how she prepares for potential matches against the in-form World No. 1, as well as the event in general.
China's Zheng Qinwen practices ahead of the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia, January 10, 2024. /CFP
"That final brings me a lot of good memories, but in the same time some pity and some sadness, because I didn't take my chance. I would even use the sentence 'I ruined my chance' because I feel I could do better. So [it] takes me a while to [recover] from that loss. But in the same time, I really learned a lot. That's why each time I play against her, it's better and better, and I didn't see her any more like at [the] beginning. In [the] US Open, I play against her the first time, and I just really looking forward to the present. I don't think any more about the past, what I did, [because] I just realize if I just focus on the moment, I will be [a] better person, and a better player. But I would like to say that all my team, we love Australia," Zheng recalled when discussing her bittersweet memories of coming up short against Sabalenka.
"I am cool with meeting Sabalenka early in the tournament. I have to beat everyone if I want to be the champion, and she is a 'must-beat' opponent if I want to be the winner, so I want to meet her and beat her. I don't want to win the tournament without beating her. I like the challenge, and I am fully motivated in my training, because I want to beat these opponents," said Zheng in reference to a potential meeting with Sabalenka in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, according to the draw, Zheng will meet Romanian qualifier Ancha Todoni in the first round.
"I know Anca Todoni is tall and has a good serve. I can only prepare myself as well as possible for the opening round, as I don't have too much information on her, and it's going to be the first Grand Slam of the year. I have to get myself ready before thinking too much about my opponent," she concluded.