Dubai: China’s Shuai Peng is unsure if she can match the achievements of countrywoman Li Na in the world of women’s tennis but won’t give up trying nevertheless.
Li Na’s retirement in the second half of last year has thrown up a debate on a potential successor to the two-time Grand Slam champion from China.
Banking on Li Na’s exploits, the WTA has invested heavily in Chinese tennis — building stadiums all over the country and hosting as many as 10 tournaments through the season. However with Li’s retirement due to her failing knees, the grandiose plans have received a sort of setback in the absence of a worthy successor.
Li Na’s greatest achievement was becoming Asia’s first Grand Slam champion following her 2011 triumph at Roland Garros. That feat sent her stock soaring and big brands chased her to endorse their products.
Everyone realised that it would take some doing for another Chinese player to fill Li Na’s shoes, more so Shuai Peng who has often been touted as one of the few who could be a successor to Li. The 29-year-old, who is currently ranked No. 21 in the world has shown huge promise, but in rather inconsistent spurts.
Shuai enjoyed an amazing 2014 when she knocked out Agniezska Radwanska during her sleek run to the US Open semi-finals. The Chinese girl seemed to continue where she left off as she had a great start to 2015 following her run to the fourth round of the Australian Open, until she came up against against ultimate runner-up Maria Sharapova in the fourth round.
“I think she [Sharapova] is one of top players on Tour. Everybody who plays her likes to give even more than 100 per cent against her. She is really tough. I also tried in there, and it did not really work that day,” Shuai told Gulf News.
However, last week top seed Shuai crashed out in three sets in the second round of the PTT Thailand Open against Japan’s left-hander Misaki Doi. But the Chinese player still feels she can take heart from these lop-sided results. “Her [Li Na’s] retirement was huge news last year. She is the one who has taken women’s tennis to great heights in China. It will be tough to match what she has achieved,” Shuai admitted.
“For the rest of us, we need to play to our strengths. We all have different bodies and a different game, and the goal should be to do what Li Na has done,” she added.
