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)
Andy Roddick is set to marry longtime girlfriend Brooklyn Decker in Roddick's home in Austin, Texas this weekend. The couple met in 2007 when Roddick, 26, asked his agent to contact Decker's agent after seeing her in Sports Illustrated. He proposed to Decker in March 2008, but said they weren't in any rush to walk down the aisle. "With their hectic travel schedules, Andy and Brooklyn plan to enjoy their engagement," said a statement posted on their Web site then.
According to the many sources available online, the nuptials will be "very small. Just friends and family. Not a big Hollywood crowd as they're not like that."
The New York Post, which first reported the news, says Decker, 21, and her bridesmaids "had a big bachelorette weekend in Chapel Hill, NC" last weekend.
"They just bounced around and had a great time," added the paper.
Hopefully we'll get some wedding photos soon. I'll keep you guys updated!(Via usmagazine.com)
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)
Rafael Nadal was spotted wearing a striped shirt underneath his white jacket at the ATP Masters Series launch party at the Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
So many tennis fans and I thought Nadal could have received some fashion tips from Novak Djokovic (*hint* hint* Nole loves striped shirts).
(Images via menstennisforums.com)
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.
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.
Zheng Jie who is Anta's latest ambassador also distributed free Anta's children's products to Sichuan kids during her visit.
