Sounds_ Wang Qiang: Insufficient Preparation for Wimbledon, Aims for US Open and Chinese Season

On July 1st in local time, Chinese player Wang Qiang was defeated by American player Navarro in the first round of the 2024 Wimbledon Women’s Singles with a score of 0-6/2-6. Currently ranked No. 479 in the world, Wang participated in this year’s Wimbledon through a protected ranking, marking her first appearance at a Grand Slam in two years.

In her post-match interview, Wang acknowledged her lack of preparation: “In competitive sports, you may not perform well even if you put in the effort, let alone expecting great results or victories. If you choose to enjoy life, you can’t also expect to win. It wouldn’t be fair to others if you had both.”

Regarding her ranking goals, Wang said she is more relaxed now: “Forget about getting back to No. 12, it’s challenging even to reach the top 50 or 100. I know how much work it takes. At my age, even though there are no major injuries, I have constant minor ones. If I train intensively, my whole body aches. If I want to compete seriously, I push myself hard, both physically and mentally. Maybe now I want to change my approach to tennis and try to adjust my mindset, not pushing myself too hard.”

Wang expressed admiration for the recent trend of mothers returning to the tour: “They are amazing. Some had one child before, now they’re back with two or three – it’s incredible! If I were married, I wouldn’t continue playing. Their love for tennis surpasses mine; if I had half their passion, I might already be in the top 10.”

Wang also revealed her upcoming schedule: “I’ve entered two ITF tournaments, but I’m not sure if I’ll participate. I’ll definitely play the US Open with a protected ranking, and the Chinese season is on the agenda as well. Plus, there’s next year’s National Games.”

(Edited by Wang Fei)