Qinwen Zheng has revealed the piece of advice she received from Chinese Grand Slam champion Li Na which according to her is “not think too much”.
As Zheng has reached the final of 2024 Australian Open, 7-time Grand Slam Champion Justine Henin has outlined the work Zheng has done to develop her game as she highlighted her improved forehand, movement and coordination.
Zheng edged past Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4 in the semifinals to reach her maiden Major final. WTA #15 seed, Zheng is the first Chinese player to reach a Major final in singles since 2-time major champion Li Na in 2014. Following the footsteps of her idol Li Na, the emerging Asian will also become the second Chinese singles player to crack into top 10 ranks on the WTA tour after the end of Australian Open.
She will face the World No. 2 and defending Champion in Melbourne, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Saturday after the 25-year-old sealed straight sets victory against World No. 3 Coco Gauff.
Talking to Eurosport, Former Belgian World No. 1, Henin assessed the ways Zheng has uplifted her tennis entering into 2024.
“It’s fantastic to see Zheng progress so much. Finally she makes it into a first Grand Slam final and we can see her joy. We know how hard it is to be favorite and we could feel the tension yesterday and a little bit today,” the Belgian said.
“She’s only played one quarter-final at the US Open last year. It’s not easy to be the favorite like she was today and she made it. So, it’s a fantastic story at this Australian Open.
“The fact [coach] Carlos Rodriguez has worked with her on the forehand. He tries to develop her game and give her as many weapons as possible. She doesn’t have to stay on the baseline and she puts more volume into the forehand which you don’t see as much on the women’s tour.
“She has worked a lot on her coordination and how to move well. She hasn’t played so many junior tournaments and has taken time to work and develop herself. You can feel the stability of her team and she plays a different game to the other players.
“The feeling will be so different when you walk on the court [in the final]. You should visualize yourself on the court and this will be special. She should keep the same routine and it’s good she keeps her feet on the ground. She should stay in her bubble and try to enjoy this moment because it is so special.”
Speaking to Eurosport’s Laura Robson (former British No. 1 and WTA #27), Zheng divulged the advice given to her by her idol ahead of Sabalenka final clash.
“The opponent started really well and it was a really difficult match for me. The feeling is incredible to be in a final of a Slam. It’s one of my dreams since I was a little kid, especially as we had such a great fight on court,” she reflected.
“She (Sabalenka) is an amazing player, very stable for the past few years. I expect she will give her best in the final. Last time I was really new and not used to her. Now I have more experience on center court and I hope in the final I can give my best and compete.
“[Li Na] already gave me advice a few days ago – don’t think too much, just play. Even though it’s a final I think you need to keep your focus and play tennis. I need to manage my emotion in the final. I will focus on my game and we will fight and see what happens.”