By N.D. Prashant/Doha
China’s Li Na made headlines when she made the final of the Australian Open in January. However, for Na, who turns 29 this Saturday, it’s already a thing of the past. Going by the Chinese calendar it happened last year, and she is keen to look forward.
SPEAKING HER MIND: Li Na
“For me, it is history. The Chinese New Year was the 3rd of February, which means right now it’s the start a new year,” said yesterday.
“For me, the Australian Open happened last year, so it has passed already,” says Na, who lost to Belgian Kim Clijsters, missing out on the chance to become the first Asian winner of a grand slam.
“Of course, it was exciting to be in the final of the Australian Open, but I mean, you cannot always think about how you did in the last tournament or the week before. You have to look forward and what matters is what you are doing right now,” says the World No 7.
Na however has not carried on the fine form she struck in Australia, crashing out of the Dubai Open in the first round last week after a three-set loss to Belgian Yanina Wickmayer.
“After the Australian Open, I started thinking I can win any tournament, but you know, last week I just lost in the first round. So what I mean to say is tennis not easy. It is not necessary that you would get what you want and so setting targets won’t help,” said Na.
“You have to do the hard work and for me now it is harder than before. Right now all the players see me differently and try to givetheir best. What I need to do is try and win a lot matches,” added Na, who is coached by her husband Jiang Shan.
Na also revealed that despite her success Down Under her husband Shan was more famous back home than her.
“After Melbourne, I was in China for a week and but I was with family and so I don’t know how people feel about my tennis. But yes, I attended a few press conferences after the Chinese New Year in Beijing.
“Right now, you know, I think my husband is more famous than me. When we walked together, I could hear people whisper ‘This is the husband of Li Na, and, oh, this is Li Na’. So, yeah, I mean, if I’m walking alone, nobody knows who I’m but if I walking with my husband, yeah, they know. So he’s more famous than me.”
Na feels having become the torch bearer for Asian tennis has added no extra pressure on her. “People keep asking me this question wherever I go. I never feel the pressure and I don’t know why you think it will put pressure. I love the tennis life, so I just play to enjoy and I don’t see any need to put pressure on myself.”
She is also not worried about how far she can progress in Qatar.
“I don’t know how far I can do, but I always try my best. I mean, if you ask all the players, of course, everyone wants to win tournaments. This is the goal. But still have to take things match by match, round by round, you never know what will happen on the court. Everyone competing here are good players. Everyone can play good tennis, so it’s always a challenge for yourself.”