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Li Na celebrates French Open triumph in Beijing
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CNTV, July 6, 2011
China's newest sporting icon, has returned home, and is sharing her success with her legion of newfound fans.
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Li Na (C) of China, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open, is interviewed by reporters before a celebration organized by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) at Sanlitun SOHO in Beijing, China, July 5, 2011. [Xinhua] |
![Li Na (C) of China, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open, is interviewed by reporters before a celebration organized by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) at Sanlitun SOHO in Beijing, China, July 5, 2011. [Xinhua]](http://images.china.cn/attachement/jpg/site1007/20110706/001ec94a1ee40f7e630e04.jpg "Li Na (C) of China, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open, is interviewed by reporters before a celebration organized by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) at Sanlitun SOHO in Beijing, China, July 5, 2011. [Xinhua]")
One month after she raised the trophy at Roland Garros, Chinese tennis mega star Li Na, has celebrated her French Open win here in Beijing.
Hundreds of tennis fans gathered in downtown Beijing on Tuesday to welcome their hero Li Na. China, and Asia's first Grand Slam champion.
It was the first official public celebration for Li Na after she triumphed in the women's singles at the French Open a month ago.
Li's win over Italian Francesca Schiavone at Roland Garros was watched by an estimated 116 million people in her home country, making it the most-watched sporting event in China this year and the country's most-watched tennis match in history.
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Li Na (C) of China, the first Asian to win a Grand Slam title at the French Open, is interviewed by reporters before a celebration organized by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) at Sanlitun SOHO in Beijing, China, July 5, 2011. [Xinhua] |
The popular 29-year-old has become one of the biggest sports stars in China, on a level with basketball player Yao Ming, but she hopes to keep a low profile.
Li Na said, "After winning the Grand Slam title, I cannot avoid the changes happening around me. Perhaps everyone's recognition of me is greater and their expectations will be higher. But, I don't want to change the life I have been leading."
Li Na began playing tennis at the age of eight in the Chinese sport system, where she met her now famous husband, Jiang Shan.
Li has risen to become the most successful Chinese tennis player in history, and says she has no plans of slowing down anytime soon.
Li Na said, "I won the Grand Slam trophy with my effort. I will try my best to give good performances on the tennis court. I don't think the age of 29 is old for a woman tennis player. I believe as long as everyone has his or her goal in life, no matter how old he or she is they can achieve it and reach their full value."
Li Na won't be setting her racket down for long, as she is scheduled to return to competition at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, Canada in August. But for now, it's time to celebrate.
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