Li makes new start with Henin ex-coach
Source: AFP |
August 19, 2012, Sunday
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Print Edition
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CHINA'S Li Na, the 2011 French Open champion, is preparing for the US Open with a clean slate after hiring Justine Henin's former coach Carlos Rodriguez on a trial basis to steer a comeback bid.
Li, 30, has had a hard time keeping the form that brought China's first grand slam title.
Without a title since taking Roland Garros some 15 months ago for her sixth career crown, Li has lost three finals this year.
After an on-again, off-again relationship with her husband as coach, ninth-ranked Li finally cut the coaching cord for good, now content to let Jiang Shan serve in his more accustomed role as life partner. "Husband is husband and coach is coach. Otherwise, it's too tough for my mind," Li said.
Rodriguez came on board after the start of this week's Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, where his ninth-seeded pupil advanced to the semifinals by thumping Polish top seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-1 in the last major tune-up to the US Open.
Rodriguez arrived in the wake not only of Jiang but also Dane Michael Mortensen, who departed 11 months ago.
Chinese No. 1 Li said the new arrangement looks promising even though she had never actually met her new mentor until he arrived on site at mid-week.
Rodriguez put in 15 years with Henin as the Belgian won seven grand slam titles. His Chinese connection came in the period after Henin when he worked at a Beijing academy.
Li said that she realized changes were needed after Wimbledon, where she lost as third seed to German Sabine Lisicki in the second round.
"I texted my agent and said I need a new coach," she explained. "Two weeks later, my agent said, ?Oh we have one coach.' I said, ?Perfect, I need him.' Of course I know him. I was so surprised he also wanted to help me.
"I asked many coaches and they said, ?Oh, he's a very positive person. He has good communication with the players.' I need this right now."
Li, 30, has had a hard time keeping the form that brought China's first grand slam title.
Without a title since taking Roland Garros some 15 months ago for her sixth career crown, Li has lost three finals this year.
After an on-again, off-again relationship with her husband as coach, ninth-ranked Li finally cut the coaching cord for good, now content to let Jiang Shan serve in his more accustomed role as life partner. "Husband is husband and coach is coach. Otherwise, it's too tough for my mind," Li said.
Rodriguez came on board after the start of this week's Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio, where his ninth-seeded pupil advanced to the semifinals by thumping Polish top seed Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 6-1 in the last major tune-up to the US Open.
Rodriguez arrived in the wake not only of Jiang but also Dane Michael Mortensen, who departed 11 months ago.
Chinese No. 1 Li said the new arrangement looks promising even though she had never actually met her new mentor until he arrived on site at mid-week.
Rodriguez put in 15 years with Henin as the Belgian won seven grand slam titles. His Chinese connection came in the period after Henin when he worked at a Beijing academy.
Li said that she realized changes were needed after Wimbledon, where she lost as third seed to German Sabine Lisicki in the second round.
"I texted my agent and said I need a new coach," she explained. "Two weeks later, my agent said, ?Oh we have one coach.' I said, ?Perfect, I need him.' Of course I know him. I was so surprised he also wanted to help me.
"I asked many coaches and they said, ?Oh, he's a very positive person. He has good communication with the players.' I need this right now."
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