"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."
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)
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)
Hope that clears the rumour.
