Paris Olympics champion Zheng Qinwen said yesterday she hopes to use the fervent support of the home crowd to propel her to a first China Open title.
The world No 7 is back in Beijing fresh from making history as the first Chinese player to win Olympic singles tennis gold.
The China Open, which begins today, is a WTA 1000 event and among the most prestigious in the women's tennis calendar.
"People start to get tired at the end of the season. For me it's different," said the 21-year-old Zheng, also a finalist at the Australian Open in January.
"I'm motivated to come and play in China ... I know they're going to support me."
With that comes pressure, but Zheng says she is physically fresh, has prepared well and has "big expectations." After Beijing, the player dubbed "Queen Wen" will play the Wuhan Open.
"I know 95 percent of the crowd are going to support me," Zheng said. "It is a big confidence. It's also a big energy."
Zheng sees a difference now compared to before she was the Olympic champion.
"When I was at the airport, people wouldn't recognize me ... My fame was only within the tennis circle," she told a packed press conference. "But now when I go to a restaurant, people ask me for autographs.
"I feel the impact. I feel a sense of responsibility now here in China."
Chief among Zheng's title rivals at the China Open will be the top seed Aryna Sabalenka.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Zheng Qinwen signs autographs for fans after a training session ahead of the China Open in Beijing. XINHUA
