By Mikhil Bhat/Doha
Age, to quote a cliché, is a question of mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.
At 32, Serena Williams is the oldest world No 1 in WTA history, and veteran Martina Navratilova has said that the American still has a few more Grand Slams in her.
Last month, China’s Li Na became the oldest Australian Open women’s champion in the Open era. She will turn 32 later this month.
The two-time Grand Slam winner, who had given retirement a thought last year, is in Doha for the Qatar Total Open.
With Serena Williams and defending champion Victoria Azarenka pulling out, the 2011 French Open champion is now the top seed at the WTA Premier 5 event, which started yesterday at the Khalifa International Tennis and Squash Complex.
Na was asked about the reason behind older players dominating the women’s tour of late. She preferred calling it experience rather than old age.
“I don't think we are old,” the world number 3 said. “We are just a little bit, how do you say, more experienced on the tour. I think now tennis is not only about technique. It has become more important for us to be mentally strong on the court. Maybe some young players have very good technique, but they are not strong enough or they don’t have enough experience on the court.”
Having won both the tournaments she has played so far in 2014—Shenzhen and the Australian Open—Na refused to call it the best moment in her career, rather focusing on the bigger picture.
“No, I don’t think so,” she said when asked whether it is the best moment of her career. “It’s just the beginning to this year, you know. We have 52 weeks. I may say that I'm doing well in the first month, but 11 months… you know. I will try to do the best, like before.”
Despite some high-profile pull-outs, the Qatar Total Open will see seven of the top-10 players battling for the top prize of $426,000.
Also in the fray are former world number ones Caroline Wozniacki and Jelena Jankovic, 2011 Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, Agnieszka Radwanska and Ana Ivanovic among others.
However, Na said she is not under pressure to go on with her winning run this year.
“I was prepared for the beginning of the year, so I was really happy I won both the tournaments I played in. But Melbourne is already past, and you cannot think about it. I have come to Doha now. It’s a different tournament. So I have to prepare everything once again,” she said.
She added: “I know I can feel the pressure, but I have to find a way to calm down. When I came here, I was telling myself ‘Okay, don't think about it too much. Tennis is a game. Everyone has the chance to win or lose. So don't put a lot of pressure on yourself’.”
Since 2007, every time the reigning Australian Open champion has played in Doha, she has gone on to win here. Maria Sharapova won the double in 2008, and Azarenka did so in 2012 and 2013. Just saying.
