New world No 10 sets sights on WTA finals
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Li Na was more than a little surprised to be greeted by throngs of media, flowers and banners when she arrived back in Beijing from the Australian Open, where she and Zheng Jie made history by becoming the first Chinese women tennis players to reach the singles semifinals of a Grand Slam event together.
After playing the game for almost 20 years, 27-year-old Li said she felt like a star for the first time and she wants that feeling to continue.
Having reached a career-high ranking of 10 in the world, she is eyeing even greater progress this year and wants to compete in the WTA tour finals at the end of the season, an event which features the world's top eight players.
"I planned to return to Beijing quietly and I booked a very early flight. So I was a surprised when I saw the cameras at the airport and doubted they had come to see me at the beginning. It felt different but I won't change. I'm still myself," Li said.
"I hope I can remain in the world's top 10 and qualify for the WTA finals. If possible, I hope I can reach a ranking as high as possible this season."
Although she lost to world No 1 Serena Williams 7-6 (4), 7-6 (1) in a two-hour semifinal thriller, Li confirmed her new status in the sport when she upset seven-time Grand Slam winner Venus Williams 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 in the quarterfinals in Melbourne.
"The quarterfinal against Venus was the most memorable match for me. Not only because I won but also as two Chinese players reached the semis. I think it was an exciting point in the development of China's tennis," said Li.
"As for the semifinals, I feel a little bit of regret as I just didn't convert one or two key points. The gap is not that big."
At the season-opening Grand Slam in Melbourne, China boasted two players in the last four of a Grand Slam for the first time. That's a feat that has only been matched by the United States, Russia, Belgium and Serbia in recent years.
That success has been largely attributed to the "fly away" policy launched by the Chinese Tennis Association at the end of 2008, when Li, along with Zheng, Peng Shuai and former Australian Open doubles champion Yan Zi, left the state-run sports system and started managing their own back-up teams and schedules.
However, Li said the four had not "flown away" and insisted they were still national team players first and foremost.
"We are not flying away from the national sports system. We have just chosen different ways to develop," Li said during a celebration party held by the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in Beijing on Wednesday.
"We are still national team players and when the country need us, we will play for China anytime. I would like to thank the sport's governing body for giving us the opportunity to choose our own ways freely. We are on a professional road now but we are still linked to the national team."
That clarification eased rumors that Li, who is considered to have a strong personality, was at loggerheads with China's sports officials and the local system.
"I don't care much about how others look at me; only my friends," said Li. "I won't worry about clarifying any misunderstandings others may have about me."
For reaching the semifinals of the Australian Open, Li won more than 2.4 million yuan. She joked it was the start of a collection for her future baby. However, that child won't be coming anytime soon.
"I may consider having a baby after I retire ... but I am still young and can still play for now," Li said.
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