China’s recent tennis success not a fluke but a reflection of genuine progress, Li Na says
China’s only grand slam champion says the rise of the men’s game has been good, with Zhang Zhizhen’s July ranking a ‘very big breakthrough’
China’s historic tennis success at the Paris Olympics was not a flash in the pan, but a reflection of the country’s ability to continue producing players that make it into the top 100 in the world, said Li Na, the only mainland athlete to have won a grand slam title.
Li, who was announced on Wednesday as the tournament director for October’s Prudential Hong Kong Tennis Open, said the progress made by China’s male players in particular shows that the sport’s atmosphere in China is “very good”.
Zhang Zhizhen, 48th in the ATP rankings, won silver at the Paris Olympics in mixed doubles alongside Wang Xinyu. World No 7 Zheng Qinwen became the first Asian player to win singles gold at this year’s Games.
“I don’t think any athlete’s success is a flash in the pan because, for this position, they give up a lot that people do not see,” Li said.
“The atmosphere in China for tennis is very good, not just for women, but also for men. There are two men in the top 100.”
Li said Zhang’s July ranking of 31 in the world was a “very big breakthrough”.
