'Queen Wen' looking forward to home-court advantage

Paris Olympics champion Zheng Qinwen said Tuesday that she hopes to use the fervent support of the home crowd to propel her to a first China Open title.

The world No 7 is back in Beijing, fresh from making history as the first Chinese player to win an Olympic singles tennis gold.

The China Open, which began on Wednesday, is a WTA 1000 event and among the most prestigious in the women's tennis calendar.

"People start to get tired at the end of the season. For me it's different," said the 21-year-old Australian Open finalist.

"I'm really motivated to come and play in China, in front of my people. I know they're going to support me."

With that comes pressure, but Zheng says she is physically fresh, has prepared well and has "big expectations" of herself.

After Beijing, the player dubbed "Queen Wen" will play the Wuhan Open.

"I don't think I consider it like big pressure," she said of the support she will receive in the coming weeks.

"I will consider it big support. Especially when I'm feeling down, I will see all the people supporting me.

She added: "It is quite different to play in China compared to rest of the world. I know basically all of them, 95 percent of the crowd, they are going to support me.

"It is a big confidence boost, and there's a big energy when I'm playing on court."

Zheng sees a difference now, compared to before she became the Olympic champion.

"When I was at the airport, people wouldn't recognize me if they weren't interested in tennis. My fame was only within tennis circles," she told a packed media conference in the Chinese capital.

"But now, when I go to a restaurant, people ask me for autographs.

"I feel the impact. I now feel a sense of responsibility here in China."

Chief among Zheng's title rivals at the China Open will be the top seed Aryna Sabalenka, who comfortably beat her in the Australian Open final at the start of the year.