Qinwen Zheng was pleased to meet with the former Australian Open Champion Li Na after her R3 victory and revealed the advice that the former champion shared with her.
Zheng regards Li as a massive inspiration for her tennis career and an idol that she was followed while growing up. Zheng run into the Li at the tournament and had a brief discussion with the 2014 Australian Open champion as she managed to get a few words of advice. Qinwen was told to keep things simple and not to overthink on the matchcourt.
“That was feeling really special for me,” Zheng told reporters. “I feel she’s much more beautiful than when I saw her on TV before. She said to me, ‘Don’t think too much, just keep simple.’ I think that’s right now what I need to do.
“She’s the first one who won the Slams.
“I mean, that’s unbelievable for Asian woman in that moment. Then she gives a lot of hope in that moment [for] young kids [like] me. That’s my dream since I was a kid.”
She recognized that the Li Na holds the credit of having launched many careers in Chinese tennis.
“She’s an amazing player for me,” Qinwen said about the icon compatriot. “She changed tennis in China. Most people started tennis because Li Na was so good.
“When you are young, and you see something you like, there is no reason. You just like it. And I go for it.”
Zheng will need to put that advice into the practice for her final eight clash against Anna Kalinskaya.
“I tried to tell myself, stay focused, don’t think too much,” Qinwen said later.
“The first set already prove [I] think too much, it’s not helping. So I’m really happy that I’m able to change that and to win the match at the end.”
There are seven Chinese players in WTA top 100 with the Qinwen being the only one in the top ten.
Qinwen believes that China has no shortage of good tennis players both on men’s and women’s side.
“I think generally, obviously China has really good tennis players in women and men,” Zheng said. “All of us are trying to develop and improve as best as we can. Some of us are young. We are trying to explore how is our game style. Right now, we are in a really good position for China tennis.”
Ten years on from her big win, Li Na believes that Qinwen has good odds to repeat the history.
“Ten years, yeah, still proud of myself. Is good for her, for China tennis. I’m happy to see a lot of young players grow up. I think it’s a big chance for [Qinwen] for this year.”
Qinwen will be up against World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s women’s singles final on the Rod Laver Arena.