NEW YORK, AUG 24: Zheng Qinwen is determined not to let up after becoming the first Chinese player to win Olympic tennis singles gold.
The 21-year-old from Shiyan defeated Croatia's Donna Vekic to top the podium at the Paris Games earlier this month on the same Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros where compatriot Li Na became China's first Grand Slam champion in 2011.
There had been indicators earlier in the season, specifically her run to a first Grand Slam final at the Australian Open in January, where she fell to Aryna Sabalenka in the title match.
"Of course it's a really good result for me, but I had a lot of ups and downs after Australia, because I lost some motivations, I'm different in the practice," Zheng told reporters on Friday at Flushing Meadows, as she prepared for the start of the US Open on Monday.
"And after I won Olympic gold medal, the first thing I told to myself is I want to keep the motivation on.
"I don't want to let myself slip again. I really want to improve one more time in my mental side.
"It's how to maintain the level when you become a champion and just to keep winning, winning, winning, instead of getting relaxed and let yourself lose easy match.
"If I'm able to do that, I think I will really break through some wall that I have for myself." —AFP
