Li happy not to be in spotlight
Source: AFP |
June 25, 2012, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S Li Na admits she is relieved to be the forgotten woman at Wimbledon this year after an uncomfortable experience in the spotlight following her French Open triumph 12 months ago.
Li became the first Asian to win a grand slam when she defeated Italy's Francesca Schiavone in the 2011 Roland Garros final, but that historic victory brought her an unwanted level of scrutiny.
When Li arrived at Wimbledon just two weeks after her breakthrough success in Paris, she found her life had changed dramatically.
She had to deal with a flood of requests for interviews and was followed around by groups of Chinese fans fascinated by her success. The flurry of interest in her life on and off the court proved too much of a distraction and Li crashed out of Wimbledon in the second round against Germany's Sabine Lisicki.
Now, a year later, the 30-year-old is back at the All England Club in London and finding the relative anonymity much more to her liking.
"I'm feeling more free this year," Li said. "Last year I came here after winning in Paris and I just felt like someone was always following me. I couldn't do so many things for my private time. So now it is just back to normal.
"If you're always feeling that someone is looking at you, and you have security next to you, you don't feel very comfortable. Now I can do much practice as I can. I can concentrate on the court."
Li still recalls with horror how everyone wanted a piece of her following the French Open. But despite her unhappy experience last year, she still relishes her trips to Wimbledon and is keen to make amends for her early exit.
"I always look forward to Wimbledon. Last year I didn't do well, so I wish I can do much better this year," she said.
Li became the first Asian to win a grand slam when she defeated Italy's Francesca Schiavone in the 2011 Roland Garros final, but that historic victory brought her an unwanted level of scrutiny.
When Li arrived at Wimbledon just two weeks after her breakthrough success in Paris, she found her life had changed dramatically.
She had to deal with a flood of requests for interviews and was followed around by groups of Chinese fans fascinated by her success. The flurry of interest in her life on and off the court proved too much of a distraction and Li crashed out of Wimbledon in the second round against Germany's Sabine Lisicki.
Now, a year later, the 30-year-old is back at the All England Club in London and finding the relative anonymity much more to her liking.
"I'm feeling more free this year," Li said. "Last year I came here after winning in Paris and I just felt like someone was always following me. I couldn't do so many things for my private time. So now it is just back to normal.
"If you're always feeling that someone is looking at you, and you have security next to you, you don't feel very comfortable. Now I can do much practice as I can. I can concentrate on the court."
Li still recalls with horror how everyone wanted a piece of her following the French Open. But despite her unhappy experience last year, she still relishes her trips to Wimbledon and is keen to make amends for her early exit.
"I always look forward to Wimbledon. Last year I didn't do well, so I wish I can do much better this year," she said.
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