Husband/coach makes it better for Li
Source: Agencies |
January 22, 2011, Saturday
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Print Edition
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LI Na's married life is a little more complicated now that her husband is also her coach.
Li worked with Thomas Hogstedt until the end of last year, when she became China's most successful player, but started the 2011 season with husband Jiang Shan as her coach.
Last year she reached the Australian Open semifinals and moved into the top 10 for 16 weeks. She has carried that form into the new year, beating Kim Clijsters to win the Sydney International, a tuneup event for the Australian Open.
And now she's into the fourth round at Melbourne Park after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Barbora Zahlavova yesterday.
Having Jiang as coach shifts the dynamic of that relationship.
"Yeah, it's interesting because you always fight," Li said. "I mean, on the court I always have to listen to what he says. But we always find a bonus to (the) job and life."
If Jiang is the boss when it comes to tennis, is Li in charge off the court? "I wish, you know?" she said. "Sometimes I can't do what I want. I think he is totally (in) control, yeah."
Li was one of two Chinese players who reached the Australian Open semifinals last year, the first time two players from that country had gone so far in the same grand slam. Zheng Jie, the other Chinese woman to reach the 2010 semifinals, is injured, but another Chinese player, Peng Shuai, defeated 7th-seeded Jelena Jankovic on Thursday in the third round.
Li's achievement in Australia last year triggered speculation that having some high-profile Chinese players could help tennis take root in the world's most populous country, where table tennis is far more popular than the version of tennis which Li plays.
Li, who switched from badminton to tennis at age nine, is not so sure. She said that even if she won the title at Melbourne Park, the celebrity wouldn't last long.
"Maybe for one month, after one month everyone forget," she joked. "I'm not sure. If one Chinese player can win the grand slam in China, maybe China turn around. I don't know."
Li worked with Thomas Hogstedt until the end of last year, when she became China's most successful player, but started the 2011 season with husband Jiang Shan as her coach.
Last year she reached the Australian Open semifinals and moved into the top 10 for 16 weeks. She has carried that form into the new year, beating Kim Clijsters to win the Sydney International, a tuneup event for the Australian Open.
And now she's into the fourth round at Melbourne Park after a 6-2, 6-1 win over Barbora Zahlavova yesterday.
Having Jiang as coach shifts the dynamic of that relationship.
"Yeah, it's interesting because you always fight," Li said. "I mean, on the court I always have to listen to what he says. But we always find a bonus to (the) job and life."
If Jiang is the boss when it comes to tennis, is Li in charge off the court? "I wish, you know?" she said. "Sometimes I can't do what I want. I think he is totally (in) control, yeah."
Li was one of two Chinese players who reached the Australian Open semifinals last year, the first time two players from that country had gone so far in the same grand slam. Zheng Jie, the other Chinese woman to reach the 2010 semifinals, is injured, but another Chinese player, Peng Shuai, defeated 7th-seeded Jelena Jankovic on Thursday in the third round.
Li's achievement in Australia last year triggered speculation that having some high-profile Chinese players could help tennis take root in the world's most populous country, where table tennis is far more popular than the version of tennis which Li plays.
Li, who switched from badminton to tennis at age nine, is not so sure. She said that even if she won the title at Melbourne Park, the celebrity wouldn't last long.
"Maybe for one month, after one month everyone forget," she joked. "I'm not sure. If one Chinese player can win the grand slam in China, maybe China turn around. I don't know."
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