Li Na wouldn't choose tennis if given a choice

"If I had an opportunity to choose what I wanted to do in childhood, I wouldn't go for tennis. It is a sport that I was always pushed to do, first by my parents, then provincial and national sports administrators. It is very important for us to have the right to choose. I really mean it."

~ Li Na

Er... okay... but you see many parents, schools and governments made choices for kids.

And would she be a pro tennis player today if it's weren't her parents or the government? I hope she knows what she's talking about and the impact of that statement.

But again I must applaud her outspokenness which resulted in a major overhaul of China's notoriously strict sports administration.

Along with Zheng Jie, Yan Zi and Peng Shuai, the girls were the first to be allowed to leave the state-supported system at the end of last year.

The quartet now have more control over their own careers and can keep a larger proportion of prize money.

(Via The Press Association)

Zheng Jie returns to Sichuan

When the disastrous earthquake hit China's Sichuan province on May 12 last year, tennis player Zheng Jie, a local, was playing in Italy and feared the worst after losing contact with her family.

Almost a year later, Asia's no. 1 women's tennis player has the opportunity to re-visit earthquake-stricken areas in her hometown to deliver her love and care to young victims.

Zheng Jie was in Sichuan yesterday for a series of charity activities, visiting primary school of Hongbai Town in Shifang city and donating tennis equipment to students.

"As a Sichuan native, I'm very happy to contribute to my hometown as much as possible."

Zheng Jie who is Anta's latest ambassador also distributed free Anta's children's products to Sichuan kids during her visit.

Besides doing charity work, Zheng is also busy promoting tennis in China after being appointed ambassador for the Beijing Oriental International Tennis Development, a program aimed at spreading the sport's presence and nurturing future stars.

"It's another kind of challenge to me," smiled Zheng.

"I will think more of how to promote the sport as a different role."

"Tennis in powerhouses like the US and Russia boasts huge popularity. China still has a way to go to catch up. But I'm glad to see people here have made lots of efforts and will continue to develop the sport."

"As long as more kids pick it up, China will always produce big tennis stars."

(Via China Daily; Images via sina.com.cn)

ANTA signs Chinese top tennis player Zheng Jie

ANTA Sports, a leading branded sportswear enterprises in China signed an endorsement contract with Zheng Jie on Monday.

The Chinese top tennis player is the latest ambassador following an endorsement deal with Jelena Jankovic earlier this year.

Together with a series of marketing strategies taken by ANTA, the cooperation with Zheng Jie not only signifies the further expansion of the ANTA brand in tennis segment, but also promotes the popularity of the sport in China.

During the signing ceremony and press conference, Zheng Jie received the tailor-made sportswear and advanced tennis shoes for French Open from ANTA Sports, marking a good start for the cooperation between ANTA and the renowned Chinese tennis player.

Zheng Jie will be wearing ANTA gears including a range of professional footwear, apparel and accessories for all her WTA tournaments.

ANTA Sports will invite top designers from the US and Japan to China to tailor-made sportswear and tennis shoes to meet Zheng Jie's preferences and requirements.

Ding Shizhong, Chairman and CEO of ANTA Sports said "We are very pleased to have world's top class female tennis player Zheng Jie as ANTA's endorsed player."

"Our close partnerships with famous tennis players such as Jelena Jankovic and Zheng Jie have proven our determination to develop tennis business and our dedication to promote tennis in China."

"ANTA hopes to nurture more young potential tennis players and promote tennis in China through these sponsorships."

"At the same time, through the partnership with top tier tennis players like Zheng, ANTA will further strengthen its R&D capability in products for the sport, and enhance our international and professional image," Ding concluded.

(Via anta.com.cn; Images via sina.com.cn)

Winners of 2008 ATP World Tour & Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards

While Ana Ivanovic is still not done with the "kickoff" party last night (clue: look for a tennis ball), let's take a good look at the nice rundown of winners of the 2008 ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards.

2008 ATP World Tour Player Awards
Player Of The Year - Rafael Nadal
Doubles Team Of The Year - Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic
Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Of The Year - James Blake
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award - Roger Federer
Most Improved - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Newcomer of the Year - Kei Nishikori
Comeback Player of the Year - Rainer Schuettler
ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favorite (Singles) - Roger Federer
ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favorite (Doubles) - Bob & Mike Bryan
Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award - Alan Trengove

2008 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards
Player of the Year - Serena Williams
Doubles Team of the Year - Cara Black and Liezel Huber
Most Improved Player - Dinara Safina
Comeback Player of the Year - Zheng Jie
Newcomer of the Year - Caroline Wozniacki
Humanitarian of the Year - Ana Ivanovic
Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award - Elena Dementieva
Player Service Award - Liezel Huber
Favorite Premier Tournament - Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart)
Favorite International Tournament - Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic (Bali)

(Images by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Unseen before photos of Chinese players at the party in Dubai

Here are the photos of Zheng Jie, Yan Zi and Sun Tiantian (in sequence) taking their turn to hold a falcon during a party in the Gulf Emirate of Dubai.

*Yawn* Can't they have something more interesting to do?

By the way, Yan Zi looks as if she got knocked up :P


(Images via sports.sina.cn)

Zheng Jie on CNN TalkAsia

After Jelena Jankovic was featured on CNN's TalkAsia earlier this month, it was Zheng Jie's turn last week.

I missed this show on TV but managed to watch this one on website.

I couldn't embed the videos from CNN here again. So I have to do the alternative way, that is to upload the video files on youtube.

This interview is a bit boring, mainly shows Zheng Jie on practice court and at the gym.

Perhaps the only highlight in this interview (besides the interview itself) is Zheng Jie's and her hubby's flirtatious gestures in the gym, on the floor in part 2 :P

Part 1: Beating the Best



Part 2: Practice Makes Perfect



Part 3: Serving Up

Will it be a bullish year for Zheng Jie?

Wishing everyone a fantastic Lunar New Year!

Let's start off the Ox year with some updates from Zheng Jie.

She took a water taxi ride along the Yarra River yesterday on New Year Eve.

Today she'll have a big match in the quarterfinal against Svetlana Kuznetsova. I'm a fan of Kuzy so whoever wins and through to the semifinals, I'll be just as happy.


Updates:
Oh no! Zheng Jie retired from the match after a wrist injury in the first set.

Kuzy will now face second seed Serena Williams in the quarterfinals, who also enjoyed a brisk workout after her opponent, Victoria Azarenka, retired due to dizziness and an "undisclosed illness".


(Images by Robert Prezioso/Getty Images via zimbio, xinhuanet)

Zheng Jie reaches last 16, Peng Shuai ousted from Aussie Open

Wimbledon semifinalist Zheng Jie beat Ukraine's Kateryna Bondarenko 6-2, 6-2 to continue her best-ever Australian Open.

The 22nd seed only 69 minutes to send Bondarenko packing in the third round encounter.

"I feel I play good for today, because before the match I do much homework to study my opponent. I know how to play this match," said Zheng, who never reached second round or beyond in previous Australian Open.

"It's a little surprised that I can win the match so easily, because I know she plays aggressive tennis. So at the beginning I go to the court and play more aggressive than her."

Earlier, China's Peng Shuai was dumped out of the event, losing to Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4.

"I think it's really good experience for me. It's my first time to play her," said Peng.

"The first set, I was a bit nervous, and then a little bit too tight. But after the start of the second set, I feel much better."

"I was up and I get little bit chances, but didn't take that. I learn from her and just keep going."

Serena will face rising teen star Victoria Azarenka, who ended Amelie Mauresmo's AO campaign 6-4, 6-2.

"It was definitely a lot better than my second round. But, you know, I'm still trying to work on some things and hoping they'll come together," Serena said.

"I'm feeling a little rusty, for whatever reason. I'm hoping my next round I'll be a little better."

She added that her sister's shock upset in the second round had given her extra motivation to win here.

"It obviously increases my motivation and my desire to win and hopefully do better."

Elena Dementieva, whom I predicted going to have a great run in AO together with Serena, defeated Aussie Samantha Stosur 7-6, 6-4.

The fourth round of AO will continue today.

(Via xinhuanet, Images via Yahoo! Sports, sports.sina.com.cn)

Ai Sugiyama, Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun bow out at Aussie Open

Now, China's Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai are Asia's last hopes after Ai Sugiyama and Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun failed to convert their 3rd round matches into victory.

Veteran Sugiyama, playing in her 60th Grand Slam (!) put up a brave fight on centre court against Jelena Jankovic before losing 4-6, 4-6.

Sugiyama said the heat affected her, but doesn't know why as she usually handles it well.

Asked if she was happy with her performance, she said: "Yes and no."

"My expectation was a little bit higher. I don't know why but I couldn't breathe properly today, somehow it was very shallow and I had cramping towards the end."

"It's strange because normally I'm good at playing in the heat. I usually like it but today I wasn't feeling great."

Sugiyama called a medical time-out in the second set, telling officials she was having trouble breathing as trainers placed bags of ice on her legs.

She said she would consult a doctor but believes it was only minor dehydration.

On the men's singles, Rendy who had his biggest win against David Nalbandian on Wednesday, was brought crashing back to earth by Tommy Robredo 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Rendy missed the chance to play against Andy Roddick in the fourth round.

Asian hopes now rest with Zheng and Peng.

They play their third round matches today with Zheng Jie having the easier task up against Kateryna Bondarenko.

Peng Shuai will face world no. 2 Serena Williams in a match that I hope will be an upset.


(Via AFP; Images by Franck Robichon/Greg Wood/AFP/Getty Images)

Chinese stars Zheng Jie & Peng Shuai shine at Australian Open

Chinese tennis stars Zheng Jie and Peng Shuai shine for Asia on the second day of the Australian Open, but regional hopes were dented as Japan’s Kei Nishikori and Thailand’s Tamarine Tanasugarn bowed out.

Perhaps Zheng is Asia’s best hopes after her fellow countryman Li Na bowed out of the tournament due to injury.

“It was tough out there, hot and windy, so it wasn’t comfortable but it was a good win,” Zheng said after defeated Camille Pin 6-3, 6-3.

Along with Peng, she joins Japan’s Ai Sugiyama, India’s Sania Mirza and Taiwan’s Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun in the next round.

Also through is Chan Yung-jan, who won an all-Taiwanese battle against Hsieh Su-Wei 6-3, 6-3.

Japan’s Ayumi Morita was a first-round casualty, losing to Germany’s Tatjana Malek 7-6 (4), 6-2 as she joined Nishikori and Tamarine on an early departure.

Peng battled past Italian Francesca Schiavone 7-6 (4), 6-1 but fellow Chinese Meng Yuan failed to repeat her success last year against Serena Williams who revenged with the score 6-3, 6-2.

There were high expectations for Nishikori but he was unable to overcome Austria’s Jurgen Melzer which resulted him to lost 5-7, 2-6, 1-6.

There were also similar hopes for the experienced Tamarine after her successful at the Wimbledon last year where she reached the quarterfinal. But she lost focus against Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez, losing in straight sets 7-5, 6-3.

(Via jakartaglobe.com; Images via sports.sina.com, nikkansports.com)

Rendy Lu, Ai Sugiyama & Sania Mirza keep Asian hopes alive

Japanese veteran Ai Sugiyama and India's Sania Mirza carried Asian hopes into the Australian Open second round on Monday.

However it was curtains down for comeback queen Kimiko Date Krumm.

In the men's singles, Taiwan's Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun also made it through to the second round with a 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 victory over Brazil's Thomaz Bellucci.

Rendy gets support from his fans at court 18.

With the strong crowd behind her, Sugiyama who is playing her 60th Grand Slam, battled past Canada's Stephanie Dubois 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) to continue her solid start to the season after making the semis in Sydney last week.

Some disturbing scenes from Sugiyama's court.

Thankfully Sugiyama doesn't dress like her supporters.

Ranked 26 here, the 33-year-old said she was encouraged by the start she has had to her 17th season on tour.

"I'm definitely very happy with the start I've had to the year," she said.

"My training has been good and I'm starting to play well.

"I started good today and won the first seven games in a row but then she got her rhythm and started hitting it deeper, and I struggled a bit."

Joining Sugiyama in round two is Sania who has suffered with injuries after a breakthrough 2005 when she reached the US Open fourth round.

Bad girl Sania sticks out her tongue.

Sania's signature move on court.

The 22-year-old went through a surgery on her right wrist in April ruining her 2008 season. She made brief comebacks before bowing out of the Beijing Olympics in tears.

Now she is back, hitting the ball harder than ever and hungry for success.

"It was a great way to begin after such a long break," Sania said after beating Poland's Marta Domachowska 6-1, 6-4.

"I've not played a match in almost six months now ... I'm just happy to have come through."

Aside from Sugiyama, Mirza and Lu, hopes for regional success lie with China's Zheng Jie and Thai Tamarine Tanasugarn.

Taiwan's Chan Yung-jan and Hsieh Su-Wei are also in the draw but have been drawn to face each other in the first round on Tuesday.

And of course there are also high expectations for Japan's Kei Nishikori who is scheduled to face Jurgen Melzer in the first round.

(Via channelnewsasia.com; Images via Yahoo! Sports, Rendy Lu's photos by Zahirah)

Now tell me if something's going on between Fernando Verdasco and Ana Ivanovic

Alright now. I still can't get over this photo of Fernando Verdasco flirting with Ana Ivanovic.

For the past couple of days, 'Verdasco and Ivanovic' is the most searched keyword in my blog.

Now there are more pictures found!

Looks like Verdasco was trying very hard jocking Ivanovic at the official reception of the 2008 China Open.

And check out more pictures taken during Ivanovic practice. Guess who was in the background?

Yes, that was Verdasco right there!

I wonder if something is going on here between the two hotties? Someone please enlighten me :D

By the way, Ivanovic is out of the tournament after losing in the quarterfinal against Zheng Jie 6-7, 6-2, 4-6. Verdasco suffered the same fate after beaten by Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-4 which denied him from moving into the quarterfinal.

Updates: More pictures!

So the older woman sitting beside Verdasco is Ivanovic's mom, Dragana.

When you want to impress the girl, you must impress the mom too. And Verdasco did just that.

And by the way, most probably Verdasco is single now because he hasn't been seeing Priscila de Gustin for months.

Updates: More pictures!

A Chinese fan, Lola, captured these pictures hanging out together. Looks like a hotel in the background I suppose.

More info: Ivanovic and Verdasco are with Adidas together. Sven, Ivanovic´s coach, also a part-time coach of Verdasco. Both of them also share the same sparring partner (info from menstennisforums)


(Images from sina.com, menstennisforums,sports266.com)