MELBOURNE - Seven years after her debut at the Australian Open, Chinese player Wang Xinyu remains focused on the same goal of playing her best tennis.

Over the years, Wang, who currently ranks 37th, has competed at Melbourne Park four times, twice reaching the second round and twice exiting in the first. She will face Spain's 11th seed Paula Badosa in her opening-round match Sunday afternoon.

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Speaking at the Australian Open media center, Wang emphasized the importance of keeping her expectations in check.

"I try not to set my expectations too high," she said. "After the draw was announced, I felt it wouldn't be realistic to put too much pressure on myself. Instead, I'll stick to what I always tell myself: enjoy the match and try to play my best tennis."

A mixed doubles silver medal at the Paris Olympics came as an unexpected highlight of Wang's career. Paired with Zhang Zhizhen at the last minute, she defied expectations by making it to the final, narrowly missing the gold. Reflecting on the experience, Wang called it a surprising success and a reminder that playing without excessive pressure can yield great results.

"I hoped the Olympic success would carry over to the US Open, but unfortunately, I lost in the second round," she admitted.

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In 2023, Wang achieved her best result at a hard-court Grand Slam by reaching the fourth round of the US Open. However, she acknowledged that her preparation could have been better.

"After the Olympics, I didn't spend enough time training or adjusting to hard court. Even though I had high hopes, my preparation just wasn't enough," she explained.

Wang believes that setbacks are valuable learning opportunities. "Sometimes you learn more from losses than wins. Those lessons help me grow and become a more complete player," she said.

During the winter break, Wang focused on refining her footwork and improving her serves - two areas she believes will make a difference in the coming season. Now she is China's second-ranked women's player and carries the weight of high expectations from fans back home.

"We fight for every point on the court, but we also cheer for our opponents' great shots. That's the spirit of the game," Wang said.

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Wang has fond memories of Melbourne, a city that has offered her both triumphs and challenges. But one thing she hasn't forgotten is the intense heat that often accompanies the tournament.

"I love the passion and relaxing vibe here, but it's always so sunny this time of year. Before every training session or match, I will make sure to apply four layers of sunscreen," she said with a laugh.