An interview with:
BUYUNCHAOKETE
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.
Q. You were the first time in a main draw, first time in a semifinal on the ATP Tour. Did you think things would progress so fast?
BUYUNCHAOKETE: It's hard to explain. Of course, I was thinking that in my mind I don't want to say it out loud. I was just repeating it to myself. I just tried to do it. I tried to believe in myself. I hope that I can do better, I can improve every day.
Q. Making it into the top 100 is a big milestone. How do you feel about it?
BUYUNCHAOKETE: I can enjoy this much more without any pressure, without any mental burden. I am starting to enjoy tennis, my level of play. I don't really need to consider the ranking, specific goals.
I really need to learn to enjoy it and to solidify my ranking in the top 100 in Shanghai, after Shanghai in the challenger series. I need to maintain 60 or 70 points.
Now I am in the top 100, I'm not under any more pressure. I will just enjoy each match.
Q. What did Hu Ge bring to you in your collaboration? He was known for self-discipline. Did he share with you as a professional player anything that inspired you?
BUYUNCHAOKETE: I don't think he needs to share too much because I could really feel it, everything. When he was playing, we played doubles together. We played singles together, too. He has always been my role model.
In the past two weeks, it would be very challenging for him to teach me everything. We need more time to understand each other. He would need to understand me, my style of play, how I approach tennis. More importantly is a further understanding of each other so that we can be on the same page, on the same channel of communication. Further advice to me, whether I can improve in the way I can accept it, this is very important.
Q. Your relationship with other tennis players in China, I know you have good relationships. Can you comment on your overall relationships with the Chinese players? Your collaboration with Wawrinka, what is the opportunity of working with him and expectations?
BUYUNCHAOKETE: I really look forward to the doubles with him because he deserves our respect. At this age, he can play at this level. He was able to win three Grand Slams competing against the big three. I really look forward to working with him.
I'm also nervous. This is the best player I can work with so far (smiling). I'm really excited. I'm extremely excited. I can't wait to work with him. I look forward to his advice. I look forward to a good performance in Beijing, too.
Q. Tennis is a very personal sport, but we are really happy to see the breakthrough of men's tennis in China. Once you see a breakthrough from one person, you see another person having a breakthrough into the top 100, deeper runs in those tournaments, could you talk about the meaning and impact to you or to the team in general.
BUYUNCHAOKETE: Of course, you have more confidence in yourself, in the whole team. You'll be brave enough to have bigger dreams and ambitions. If nobody has achieved it, it would be really hard to believe in yourself. If nobody has done it, I would be hesitant to believe I could do it, whether I can set a goal like this.
If somebody has made the breakthrough, that would give me self-confidence that I would be determined to follow my goals. This kind of impact would be very mutual. This will be very positive to the whole team, the younger generation, the mentality of the older generation, to the journalists, to the fans. This is very important to China, the tennis industry overall.
Q. I am a young reporter for the China Open. I want to be a professional tennis player, too. Could you tell me how can I prepare myself before a match, relax myself? Before the National Day holiday, anything you want to say to congratulate the country?
BUYUNCHAOKETE: Well, going back to the first question, how to release pressure, right? That was the first question.
I don't think you can feel the same pressure that I'm feeling now. It would be really hard for me to explain to you. I think at your age, you should enjoy tennis, every day of it. Pressure can be a good motivation, it can be very positive. Playing a match is like this. I think there's a positive energy in being nervous, but you need to be really optimistic in approaching a match. Whatever you are doing, you will be nervous because you're facing something uncertain. You need to be optimistic, be it win or loss.
You are still very young. You need to be happy in what you do.
Anything congratulatory to the country? I hope everyone can enjoy their holiday and these two weeks in Beijing and Shanghai, Chinese tennis, men's tennis, and women's tennis, I look forward to more great breakthroughs. I think the win of Jerry Shang as well as the breakthroughs of Zhang Zhizhen is very important to Chinese tennis on men's and women's tennis. I look forward to great performances on both sides.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports