Olympic tennis champion Zheng stays grounded to avoid disappointment after Paris | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM

By Karl Plume

NEW YORK (Reuters) – Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen said she did not want to allow history to repeat itself and was hoping for a deep run at the U.S. Open after winning China’s first singles tennis gold medal in Paris.

In the past, she has underperformed at major tournaments, a fate the 21-year-old must avoid in order to win her first major tournament.

Zheng cleared the first hurdle when she fought back from a set down to defeat American Amanda Anisimova in New York on Monday.

“This is the typical game I lose, especially after a big win, because I know myself. Usually I’m a little too high after a big win,” Zheng said.

“If I succeed this time, I’ll tell myself: I won’t let that happen. I’ll keep working hard and keep a steady attitude,” she said.

Zheng is no stranger to stumbling shortly after his greatest highs.

Last year’s US Open quarterfinals were followed by a first-round exit at the China Open, and after reaching the final of the Australian Open this year, she underperformed at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.

“I have already had this experience. If I succeed at the Olympics this time and go to the next tournament, I say: everything starts from zero. You are no longer an Olympic champion,” said Zheng.

“Just be humble and try to work and fight in every single match. Because if you don’t fight, there’s a big chance you’ll lose.”

Zheng will face Russian Erika Andreeva in the second round.

(Reporting by Karl Plume in New York; Editing by Chris Reese)