The Chinese Wang wants to achieve her best tennis at the Australian Open

MELBOURNE – Seven years after her Australian Open debut, Chinese player Wang Xinyu remains focused on the same goal: playing her best tennis.

Over the years, Wang, currently ranked 37th, has competed at Melbourne Park four times, twice reaching the second round and twice being eliminated in the first. In her opening game on Sunday afternoon she will face 11th seed Paula Badosa from Spain.

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Speaking at the Australian Open media center, Wang stressed the importance of keeping her expectations in check.

“I try not to set my expectations too high,” she said. “After the draw was announced, I felt like it would be unrealistic to put too much pressure on myself. Instead, I stick to what I always tell myself: enjoy the game and try to play my best tennis.”

A silver medal in mixed doubles at the Paris Olympics was an unexpected highlight in Wang’s career. After teaming up with Zhang Zhizhen at the last minute, she made it to the final against all expectations, narrowly missing out on the gold medal. Reflecting on the experience, Wang called it a surprising achievement and a reminder that playing without undue pressure can lead to great results.

“I was hoping that the Olympic success would carry over to the US Open, but unfortunately I lost in the second round,” she admitted.

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In 2023, Wang achieved her best result at a hardcourt Grand Slam by reaching the fourth round of the US Open. However, she admitted that her preparation could have been better.

“After the Olympics, I didn’t spend enough time training or getting used to the hard court. Although I had high hopes, my preparation was simply not enough,” she explained.

Wang believes that setbacks are valuable learning opportunities. “Sometimes you learn more from defeats than from victories. These lessons help me develop and become a more complete player,” she said.

During the winter break, Wang focused on refining her footwork and improving her serves – two areas that she believes will make a difference in the upcoming season. Now she is the second best player in China and carries the high expectations of fans in her homeland.

“We fight for every point on the pitch, but we also celebrate the great shots from our opponents. That’s the spirit of the game,” Wang said.

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Wang has fond memories of Melbourne, a city that has brought her both triumphs and challenges. But she hasn’t forgotten one thing: the intense heat that often accompanies the tournament.

“I love the passion and relaxed atmosphere here, but it’s always so sunny this time of year. Before every training session or game, I will make sure to apply four layers of sunscreen,” she said with a laugh.