Qinwen Zheng reveals the advice she received from Chinese Grand Slam champion
Qinwen Zheng was delighted to run into former Australian Open champion Li Na after her third round win and recently revealed the advice that was bestowed on her by the champion.
Zheng counts Li as a massive influence on her career and a hero of hers coming up.
She had a brief discussion with the 2014 Australian Open champion and gleaned some advice from her.
Qinwen was told not to overthink things on the court.
“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 acknowledged that the Li Na launched many careers in Chinese tennis.
“She’s an amazing player for me,” Qinwen said. “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.”
It was advice she would put into practice in her last eight win over 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.”
China has seven women in the top 100 of the WTA Rankings, although Qinwen will be the only one in the top ten.
Qinwen has lauded the depth of Chinese tennis.
“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 feels that Qinwen has a very good shot at emulating her achievement.
“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 face Aryna Sabalenka in Saturday’s women’s singles final at the Australian Open.
READ MORE: Coco Gauff encouraged to spend more time with former world No 1 ‘to get her serve in shape’
