Shadowing Practice: Qinwen Zheng Press Conference | 2026 US Open Quarterfinal - Learn English Speaking with Video

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Questions?
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Cole.
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Hey there.
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Sorry about the loss, but it's been a remarkable run from qualifiers to the quarterfinal.
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Can you reflect upon just how maybe, I know it's a little tough to think about now, but how proud of you are of the run, just given that big reset you had in Florida to where you are now?
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I think the win that I had so far for sure is great,
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but obviously today in the match I got a lot of chance in the third set, but I didn't took it.
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That was a bit pity for me to lose this match.
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But obviously, I could take positive things from U.S.
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Open this year.
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Despite the loss, what do you think was the key today?
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What you could have done to win?
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What do you think you could have done?
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Well, obviously, I think that passing shot I missed makes some difference.
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And of course, I think maybe when she serves second serve,
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I could be more aggressive sometimes and make a bit less mistake in return because when the rally gets long, I think is where I get more points.
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So, I mean, today is just a few points makes a difference and that's it.
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I have nothing to say.
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Okay.
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Abel.
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Congratulations on a nice run, Chinwen.
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How does your mindset, as you, I know it's right after the match, but looking towards the end of the year, the rest of the tournaments you'll play, how different does your mindset feel now,
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maybe compared to earlier this year in spring
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when you were feeling like you couldn't get any rhythm or really have a chance to fight in matches?
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I think the good thing is I know how to compete better than before and in the beginning of the year.
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In the beginning of the year I was a bit totally out of tournament rhythm
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and obviously this tournament helps me to find myself little by little.
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In the match just today I think there's a lot to learn
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when I lost loss
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because there are some decisions in the important moment i wasn't doing doing right
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and that was also a very physical match for me she got a great serve
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and i think i have to be really focused to return
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every single time um in general i could take some positive things
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and the rest i could go back
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and to do what i can do better congratulations on your
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run um what will you carry forward expanding on Ava's question
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throughout the rest of the year into next year especially having these great comeback wins
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and those 5-0 down sets um i think tennis also gives me a lesson all the time
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um that as soon as the match is not over you just have to keep fighting
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because you never know what can happen in one tennis game
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and second things is i think there's so much more I still have on myself to improve.
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So that's the positive things.
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And yeah, no more I can say.
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We know how you're different tennis-wise from a year or two years ago.
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How are you different personality-wise?
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Well, I would say deep inside me, I haven't changed that much.
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the things is after an injury because I'm not doing so well so I try to learn like a bit
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hide a bit my character to don't show that much
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because you know when you don't have a good result people just judge you
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but I'm just the same person doesn't matter if I win
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or if I lost I think the I think it's important to be a good person and then stay humble in life.
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But sometimes people just don't like when you speak the reality
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and when you like they like more when you speak fake stuff
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but that's not how I am I would say I I
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become better I'm more open compared to two three years ago
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but the base has never changed I'm still myself yeah last two
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congratulations you'll get a chance to probably play at home in the next few months and just
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How relieved and excited are you to have that opportunity now having taken this momentum from this tournament hopefully into the fall?
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I always I'm so excited to play in China and especially
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I coming from calling US Open and then reach until here that was a really really difficult journey for me
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Of course playing at home always I'm more motivated
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and also in the same time carry on some pressure because I really want to do it well there.
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But I just want to say, you know, keep calm and just training day by day, you know, focus in the match by match,
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focus on the present, because when your mind's trying to go everywhere thinking too much, that's not helping for tennis.
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Last question.
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That was my question.
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That was your question.
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Thank you very much.
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Thank you.

What You'll Practice in This Lesson

Explore real-world English through a press conference dialogue, focusing on conversational fluency, natural pronunciation, and understanding context in spontaneous speech. You'll practice shadowing to match the speaker's tone, pace, and emphasis, while learning how to express reflection and analysis—key skills for everyday and professional communication.

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

  • Remarkable run: A notable series of achievements (e.g., "Her remarkable run from qualifiers to the quarterfinal impressed fans.")
  • Take positive things from: To focus on what was good despite a setback (e.g., "I can take positive things from the loss, like my improved serve.")
  • Make a difference: To have a significant effect (e.g., "That missed shot really made a difference in the match.")
  • Out of rhythm: Not in a consistent, effective pattern (e.g., "I felt out of rhythm early in the season.")
  • Keep fighting: To persist despite challenges (e.g., "You have to keep fighting until the final point.")

Practice Tips for Shadowing

This video features a mix of thoughtful pauses and conversational speed, making it perfect for honing shadow speech. Start by listening to short clips (5-10 seconds) and repeating immediately, focusing on matching the speaker's intonation—notice how she softens her voice when talking about "pity" and strengthens it when saying "keep fighting." Use a shadowing app to record yourself and compare; this helps improve English pronunciation by highlighting differences in stress and rhythm. For tricky phrases like "a lot to learn when I lost loss," slow down and break them into chunks. Over time, increase the clip length to build fluency. Remember, the goal is to sound natural, not perfect—embrace the pauses and reflections as part of the dialogue. By practicing with this video, you'll learn English with videos in a way that feels real and relevant, building skills you can use in your own conversations.

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.