Australian Open: Zheng Qinwen Is Winning Thanks To Li Na’s ‘Don’t Think Too Much’ Advice

Zheng Qinwen and Li Na
Zheng Qinwen and Li Na (photo: Tennis Australia/Fiona Hamilton)

MELBOURNE/WASHINGTON, January 25, 2024 (by Michael Dickens)

Ten years ago, Zheng Qinwen watched beloved Chinese star Li Na win the Australian Open women’s singles title in front of a TV set surrounded by her junior tennis teammates. She was 11 years old, growing up in Hubei Provence in Central China, and the two-time major champion inspired her.

Fast forward a decade and Zheng, now 21, has rewatched Li Na’s Australian Open title match more than 10 times. Now, she is a win away from for the same major title that her Chinese hero won back in 2014. Zheng, dubbed Queenwen, has become the face of tennis in China, thanks to winning a WTA 500 title in her home country last year and ascending to become a Top 10 player this year.

“I think generally … China has really good tennis player[s] in woman and men. All of us are trying to develop and improve as best as we can,” Zheng said during one of her recent AO news conferences. She was one of seven Chinese women and two Chinese men to play in the singles main draws. “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.”

After going 37-20 last season, Zheng is off to an 8-1 start in 2024. The World No. 15’s only setback came against World No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the United Cup. At the Australian Open, despite being pushed to a deciding set in three of her matches, she’s 6-0. The Happy Slam has been a land of opportunity for Zheng after Swiatek was upset in the third round by Czech teenager Linda Noskova. She beat No. 75 Anna Kalinskaya of Russia, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-1, in Wednesday’s quarterfinals to advance to the semifinal round.

On Thursday evening, Zheng, the 12th seed in this year’s first major – and the only seed remaining in her half of the draw – opposed 93rd-ranked Ukrainian qualifier Dayana Yastremska, who like Zheng had been an opportunist in taking out three seeded players including two for major champions. Zheng, the youngest Chinese player in the Open Era to reach a semifinal at a major, came in as the favorite to reach the final — and she beat Yastremska 6-4, 6-4, in an hour and 42 minutes to become just the second Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam final.

The other semifinal was won by defending champion and second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus over No. 4 seed Coco Gauff of the United States, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

Besides Li Na, just who did Zheng idolize and admire growing up? Champions!

“I watched a lot of Roger Federer’s match because he was my biggest idol,” she said. “Almost I been watching a lot of women’s match in that generation. Like Serena, I love to watch her. Obviously Li Na, I watch lot of matches of her, as well.”

Back home, thanks to her success in last year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou – where she won a gold medal in singles and her quarterfinal run at the 2023 US Open – Zheng’s profile has grown tremendously and she’s become sought out for photo shoots and endorsements.

“Yes, obviously especially after our Asian Games and the tournament in China [winning the title at Zhengzhou], of course, more fans they know me and they expect more from me,” Zheng admitted.

“Obviously, I’m just trying to keep focused on myself because I don’t want to be distracted of how many people know me. Right now, I think that’s not the point. I have to focus. I just want to be simple and focus on my tennis, to don’t get so much disturbed from the social media.”

Zheng was asked by a reporter what she learned from her experience of playing at last year’s US Open, where she lost to Sabalenka in straight sets in the quarterfinals on cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium, a round after defeating Ons Jabeur.

“Yeah, when I arrive in the quarterfinal in US Open, actually everybody say before the match, they look my face and I am nervous,” Zheng said. “Actually, I am. When I play against Sabalenka last time, I couldn’t perform my tennis on court. That was the originally first time to play in such a big stadium in US Open.

“I learn a lot from that match, especially the loss against her make me trying to develop more my game, trying to catch up the tennis of them.”

Last Saturday, following her 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (10-8) third-round win against fellow Chinese player Wang Yafan on Rod Laver Arena, Zheng got to meet her national hero, Li Na, in person for the first time. It was a playful exchange.

“That was totally a surprise for me,” Zheng said laughing. “She just went to me like this, say congratulations. I was feeling super happy to met her and have the chance to talk with her because I never talked with her in personal. That was feeling really special for me.

“You know, I feel she’s much more beautiful than what I saw her – when I saw her on TV before. …”

Li Na was asked what it means to have Zheng  leading the charge in Chinese tennis, especially now that she’s got a big opportunity to prove herself in Melbourne.

“It is good for her, for China tennis,” she said. “I’m happy to see a lot of young player grow up, yeah. I think it’s big chance for her for this year.”

Li Na enjoyed interacting with Zheng and it left a lasting impression on the young Chinese star.

“We don’t have each other’s WeChat, no phone calls. We met once before when I was a junior, but not single-to-single, face-to-face,” Zheng said. “I didn’t have the chance to talk with her, but today is the real first time we talk with each other.”

And what advice did Li Na give to Zheng?

“She said to me don’t think too much, just keep simple,” Zheng said. “I think that’s right now what I need to do as well, yeah.”

Li Na’s simple advice truly has been a real game changer for Zheng — and come Saturday night, she will be playing in her first Grand Slam final.

“It feels unbelievable. I mean I’m super excited to have such a great performance today,” Zheng said in her on-court interview after defeating Yastremska. “Dayana played unbelievable tennis. It’s tough to explain my feelings now. The real first time in Australia. Thanks for all the support.”

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