An interview with:
SHANG JUNCHENG
THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Shang Juncheng. We'll go straight to questions in English.
Q. Off of last week getting to play, obviously you're on your comeback, how is the body feeling? How is the mind feeling as you kind of start climbing back into things?
SHANG JUNCHENG: Yeah, I think very difficult time for me this year to be injured so many times with the same problem. Right now I feel very lucky that I'm playing without pain, which is a very positive thing for a very injured player - over six months.
I think overall pretty positive coming into Beijing. Last week I won my first match after comeback. Very happy to have that. Unfortunately didn't go my way the whole tournament like it did last year.
Again, super happy to play healthy, 100%. Hopefully I can perform the same thing this week, as well.
Q. How good does it feel to be ready to play your home event? What is the extra energy, the extra spice, mojo, that goes into playing at home?
SHANG JUNCHENG: Yeah, I think always the crowd brings you extra energy. You're willing to fight maybe 20% more than what you're usually doing on the court.
For me, again, it's one of the most important weeks in my life, playing the China season, and Beijing also. I grew up here, it's my hometown. This tournament matters to me the most. Really hope to do good here.
Again, it's about enjoying on the court, having fun, and hopefully I bring out my best values on the court.
Q. Coming back here to play, you're the Beijing insider, do you have players coming up to you asking where to go, tips? What do you say to them when they are asking you for your favorite things to do here?
SHANG JUNCHENG: I mean, Beijing, it's a huge city. If you go from this side of the city to the other, you might take a day to get there.
In the locker room, we're all transparent. We ask each other things. I think most of the players I'm really close with. They like to ask me where to hang out.
So many great places. Obviously the Great Wall is one of the historical landmarks in China. Maybe not ideal if you play the day before, you're going to be really tired (smiling).
I think all these scenes just outside the city are very beautiful. Also you can see the big skyscrapers if you go into the city.
Many good things to do. Many fun things, as well. I hope you guys explore by yourself and enjoy it.
THE MODERATOR: Questions in Chinese.
Q. In the ATP 250 in Chengdu, you beat a higher-ranked player. You are coming back in your tennis, to your level. What is your preparation and mindset coming back to the China Open, coming back to your hometown? How is it different from playing other places?
SHANG JUNCHENG: Of course, coming back to the China Open is very special. This is the first time where I watched a match between professional players.
I will be fully concentrating on myself. I was playing well in Chengdu. I won in the first round. In the second round, it didn't go my way. Of course, I expected that in my recovery.
I was very happy that I was able to play healthy. I was able to 100% concentrate on my preparations as well as playing on court.
Q. You will be pairing with Zhizhen in the doubles. Is it a limited edition for the China Open? Who proposed this idea?
SHANG JUNCHENG: I'm not so sure if I should tell you. It's not a China Open limited edition because we play very well together. In a couple days we'll post a picture of us practicing together. We've known each other since we were boys. He is a big brother to me. We have a really good relationship.
To pair together in the China season, to feel the warmth of the hometown, home court, to practice together, to go to different activities together, this is a really good thing.
Q. You talked about health management last time we saw you before you got injured. In this period of recovery, looking back on health management, any new things you can share with us?
SHANG JUNCHENG: Indeed. Before I was injured I wasn't aware of what the injuries or the surgeries would do to you. When I was a kid, every month I was on the road either playing matches or on the road to another tournament. Now this time, during the recovery, I was able to calm down. I realized tennis is not the only thing in my life. There are so many other things, other things that might be really important factors in determining how you can play.
For now I just want to concentrate 100% on my physicality, on my sleep, on my nutrition. I want to make improvements in these areas. I'm very happy I was able to play in Chengdu and now back in Beijing.
Q. You just mentioned tennis is not the only thing in your life. Aside from tennis, what did you do during the time of recovery? Can you share with us some of the stories?
SHANG JUNCHENG: After the injury I was lying flat at home. I was reading books, watching movies, hanging out with my friends, with my team to discuss what kind of things I can do.
Being stranded at home the first two months was quite boring. I couldn't do too much training. I had to train my muscles to some extent. I think it was three or four days after surgery I was into the rehab sessions.
I did not just lay flat at home. I could play golf, ride my bike. I just did some things to rest my body.
Thank you.
FastScripts Transcript by ASAP Sports