“The difference was Aryna” – Zheng dismisses suggestions of nerves after Australian Open final defeat to Sabalenka

Zheng Qinwen was swept aside in straight sets by Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the Australian Open – but she refused to entertain the suggestion that she was nervous ahead of her first time on the biggest of stages.

“If you talk about nervous, actually was okay,” the 21-year-old said in her press conference afterwards. “But I just feel I’m starting pretty slow. There is a chance I didn’t get. But if you talk about nervous, was fine. I think the differen[ce] is Aryna, she has much more, you know, she take away the rhythm compared to the other player. So, yeah, that’s the differen[ce].”

She emphasised that she was disappointed in her own performance and thought she could do better – which she agreed would stand her in good stead the next time she had such an opportunity.

“Maybe I have to work more on my tennis, also work more on my mental side, work more on myself to be able to through this moment – because if you lose, there must be reason behind why you lose, and we have to try to figure out why and then come back stronger and better next time.”

She added: “I think Sabalenka is one of the most tough opponents I have been face. Yeah, but I think I need to improve more myself for be able to face these kind of situation for the next time.”

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