Zheng Qinwen reveals advice from Chinese legend as Justine Henin assesses her progress

Ewan West 25 Jan 2024 2:48 PM

Zheng Qinwen recorded a double bagel at Paris 2024.

Qinwen Zheng has divulged that Chinese tennis legend Li Na had given her the advice to “just play” and “not think too much” after reaching the 2024 Australian Open final.

Former world No 1 Justine Henin highlighted the work Zheng has done to develop her game and highlighted the improvements to her forehand, coordination and movement.

Zheng defeated qualifier and world No 93 Dayana Yastremska 6-4, 6-4 in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Thursday to reach her first major final.

The world No 15 is the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final in singles since two-time major champion Li Na at the 2014 Australian Open. The 21-year-old will also become the second Chinese singles player to be ranked in the top 10 – also after her idol Li – following the event.

Through in two!

Qinwen Zheng wins her place in Saturday’s #AusOpen Women’s Singles final!

She defeats Dayana Yastremska 6-4 6-4 to set up a meeting with Aryna Sabalenka.#AusOpen • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis pic.twitter.com/jlKeIDwIIl

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 25, 2024

Zheng will face world No 2 and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka in the final on Saturday after the Belarusian downed Coco Gauff in straight sets.

Speaking to Eurosport, seven-time Grand Slam champion Henin analysed the ways Zheng has improved her game.

“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 favourite 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 favourite 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 visualise 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.”

In an interview with former world No 27 Laura Robson for Eurosport, Zheng looked ahead to her final encounter with Sabalenka and mentioned the advice she had received from her idol.

“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 centre 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.”