Will Li Na be the biggest story in Tennis next week?

[hound 109]

If she wins at RG (and w/o Serena & Kim in her way, i think she will)......will being the first Chinese to snag a Grand Slam be as big a deal as i think it may be?

A billion + people, a sport they can compete in, a rising economy & a govt. system that can create a huge developmental tennis machine. Will a Li Na win be the catalyst that makes China a tennis power (or THE tennis power) 10 years from now?

She seems like a cool girl with a nice game. Plus, she doesn't shriek or grunt & she isn't a drama queen. I hope she wins, but i wonder what the strategic impact her win might bring?

.

 

[tennis_pro]

she's has a great chance, I'm rooting for her big time!

 

[HurricaneDominic]

Let's say I think her bank balance may rise ten fold.
Also her endorsement deals will go through the roof.

 

[Gemini]

RG is really the only GS women's final I tend to watch for this very reason. Upstarts seem to surface more here and in Melbourne. I'll actually be happy with whomever wins the final.

 

[joeri888]

Li the biggest story? Of course not.. Murray will dominate the headlines

 

[Golden Retriever]

Even the Chinese government can't "create" Chinese athletes who can sprint 100m in 9.7 sec. Chinese are hardworking but they are not that talented in sports and some sports, like tennis, take talent more than hardwork. For sports that take hardwork more than talent, like diving etc, Chinese are doing fine already but tennis takes a lot of talent and not that much hardwork. Just look at Mac Enroe.

America, with all the free courts, tennis academies, sunny weather, can't come up with another Sampras for 20 years, I am sure China can't neither.

 

[jamesblakefan#1]

Even the Chinese government can't "create" Chinese athletes who can sprint 100m in 9.7 sec. Chinese are hardworking but they are not that talented in sports and some sports, like tennis, take talent more than hardwork. For sports that take hardwork more than talent, like diving etc, Chinese are doing fine already but tennis takes a lot of talent and not that much hardwork. Just look at Mac Enroe.

America, with all the free courts, tennis academies, sunny weather, can't come up with another Sampras for 20 years, I am sure China can't neither.

That's a bogus statement. Just look at Gulbis, a guy with great talent, but doesn't work hard and you see the results. Sure the top men and women all have talent, but they also work hard to get where they are. You aren't born a top 10 player in the world or even a top 100, you have to work to get there.

 

[kflat]

Lol how sure are you? And you consider tennis a sport that takes more talent than hardwork? Tennis is all about hardwork and commitment, it's not like the NBA, NFL, etc where u can get away off pure athleticism. But thats what makes it a great sport, to make it to th verye top you have to have both talent and work ethic. Look at monfils lol that guy is ridiculously talented with all the physical tools but is a clown.


And I hope ur not blaming the lack of athleticism in America for the current state of American tennis. Tennis is not that popular comparatively and the most athletic kids aren't concentrating on tennis in America. That's why I think if Tennis in china does become hugely popular, it's a sport they could excel in. With a huge population, china will have more of a chance to find talented tennis players of a lot of kids start playing the sport.

 

[Chi]

Even the Chinese government can't "create" Chinese athletes who can sprint 100m in 9.7 sec. Chinese are hardworking but they are not that talented in sports and some sports, like tennis, take talent more than hardwork. For sports that take hardwork more than talent, like diving etc, Chinese are doing fine already but tennis takes a lot of talent and not that much hardwork. Just look at Mac Enroe.

America, with all the free courts, tennis academies, sunny weather, can't come up with another Sampras for 20 years, I am sure China can't neither.

The Chinese are 'not that talented' in sports?

Tennis doesnt take a lot of hardwork?

This is a joke right?

If not - think you're on the wrong forum.

(and might I recommend a google search on 'Table Tennis' and 'Badminton' players - just a starter for you there...)

 

[Xizel]

Look at monfils lol that guy is ridiculously talented with all the physical tools but is a clown.

Interesting thing being that I'm sure Monfils works pretty hard, but he's not here to write his name in the history book. He's here to make a living and show off his tennis artistry. It's different from Federer's genius in the form of point constructing (and that wins games).

 

[kflat]

Interesting thing being that I'm sure Monfils works pretty hard, but he's not here to write his name in the history book. He's here to make a living and show off his tennis artistry. It's different from Federer's genius in the form of point constructing (and that wins games).

oh i am sure monfils works very hard. its just frustrating since i am a fan, it hurts to watch when he "shows off his tennis artistry" because often times its not the smart play. the point i am making is he is working hard at the things he is already good at. he should focus on point construction training, more aggressive style and mental toughness...which you would think his training staff would work on but he obviously cant get down cause he resorts to his defensive self all the time.

 

[Tammo]

In China she will be on the cover of every sports magazine.

 

[mtr1]

Even the Chinese government can't "create" Chinese athletes who can sprint 100m in 9.7 sec. Chinese are hardworking but they are not that talented in sports and some sports, like tennis, take talent more than hardwork. For sports that take hardwork more than talent, like diving etc, Chinese are doing fine already but tennis takes a lot of talent and not that much hardwork. Just look at Mac Enroe.

America, with all the free courts, tennis academies, sunny weather, can't come up with another Sampras for 20 years, I am sure China can't neither.

You do understand that "talent" is created by practice? If the Chinese apply the same training intensity to tennis players as they do to their badminton players they will produce grand slam champions.

 

[kishnabe]

Only if she wins.....I would be shocked if she wins....since Clay isn't where I expected her to win her GS!

 

[President]

oh i am sure monfils works very hard. its just frustrating since i am a fan, it hurts to watch when he "shows off his tennis artistry" because often times its not the smart play. the point i am making is he is working hard at the things he is already good at. he should focus on point construction training, more aggressive style and mental toughness...which you would think his training staff would work on but he obviously cant get down cause he resorts to his defensive self all the time.

Actually I think you could make an argument that Monfils having the career he has had is an example of why talent IS so important in tennis, as well as hardwork. The guy has a pretty stupid and unprofessional attitude (and I've heard stories about his practices), yet because he is such a freak athlete he is a top 10 player who is still rising through the ranks. Probably every other top 50 player has better fundementals and work ethic than him, but because of his freakish explosiveness and speed he is near the top of the game.

 

[sureshs]

China can easily produce a deep pipeline of great female tennis players. The men's side is more tricky and unpredictable, but I have no doubt a major talent will emerge there also.

 

[kflat]

Actually I think you could make an argument that Monfils having the career he has had is an example of why talent IS so important in tennis, as well as hardwork. The guy has a pretty stupid and unprofessional attitude (and I've heard stories about his practices), yet because he is such a freak athlete he is a top 10 player who is still rising through the ranks. Probably every other top 50 player has better fundementals and work ethic than him, but because of his freakish explosiveness and speed he is near the top of the game.

i guess this is true, or it could just speak volumes of how incredibly talented monfils is, and despite that he underachieves due to lack of practice. but to be honest monfils is just a rare case in tennis. i would guess he practices harder than nba players like jr smith sheed marbury josh smith etc. u can get away with it, and its more common to see the monfils-workethic type in other sports at the top levels. see allen iverson? U TALKIN BOUT PRACTICE?!

lol bottom line is in my opinion tennis takes more discipline and constant hard work than most other sports. there is no off season. and at the top level of the game it not only takes that but also talent. i think it is one of the harder sports to be a top level professional at

 

[hound 109]

Please take the Monfils discussion to a new thread..... since he's been to two fewer GS finals (-0-) than the girl this thread topic is about.

fwiw, i posted the original post prior to knowing any scores or the results of the semi.....& i do believe Li Na will win on Saturday.

& those that don't think that China could develop world class athletes in Tennis & two dozen other sports (if they really wanted to) are stuck in last century's paradigm box

 

[NadalAgassi]

Actually I think you could make an argument that Monfils having the career he has had is an example of why talent IS so important in tennis, as well as hardwork. The guy has a pretty stupid and unprofessional attitude (and I've heard stories about his practices), yet because he is such a freak athlete he is a top 10 player who is still rising through the ranks. Probably every other top 50 player has better fundementals and work ethic than him, but because of his freakish explosiveness and speed he is near the top of the game.

You say rising but I see nothing to suggest he will ever be a top 5 player or that he is anywhere close to the level of the top 5. For instance here at the French, Federer played a mediocre match and still smacked him down like a rag doll, and he barely beat Ferrer on his best surface, anywhere else Ferrer probably wins. So where he is now is probably about as good as it gets UNLESS he decides to start actually putting in the work, use his weapons better, and learn some things about strategy.

 

[decades]

If she wins at RG (and w/o Serena & Kim in her way, i think she will)......will being the first Chinese to snag a Grand Slam be as big a deal as i think it may be?

A billion + people, a sport they can compete in, a rising economy & a govt. system that can create a huge developmental tennis machine. Will a Li Na win be the catalyst that makes China a tennis power (or THE tennis power) 10 years from now?

She seems like a cool girl with a nice game. Plus, she doesn't shriek or grunt & she isn't a drama queen. I hope she wins, but i wonder what the strategic impact her win might bring?

.

either she will or the woman who beats her Saturday.

 

[TheTruth]

It's hard to say, Schiavone is so darn crafty. I'll be happy for either one of them, but I can't call it. OK, I could but I don't want to put a jinx out there.

 

[Sid_Vicious]

Nah, Djokovic will still be the number 1 story because the WTA sux.

 

[Bartelby]

Should get the Dalai Lama to hand over the trophy.

 

[hound 109]

Should get the Dalai Lama to hand over the trophy.

Actually....the first Aboriginal Grand Slam winner handed her the trophy.


& to answer my own question in the original post. Yes, she is (Tennis's biggest Story following RG).

If Fed had won, his story would have been. If Novak had won, his story would have been. But Nadal beating Fed on clay for the 393rd time isn't really huge news. (& the match was no where as good or compelling as Fed/Novak)

I'm not asian, or chinese.....but it seems like it's the biggest story among juniors my kid's age. (maybe because 20% of the US juniors are asian....who knows?) It's also probably the biggest story worldwide.


Other quotes & comments:

Sid_Vicious - Nah, Djokovic will still be the number 1 story because the WTA sux.

Whoops.

Djokovic played well....but Fed played better. & i actually enjoyed watching the woman's final (& semis) more than most of Nadal's matches. (except for the grunting of Schiavone & Sharipova).

sureshs - China can easily produce a deep pipeline of great female tennis players. The men's side is more tricky and unpredictable, but I have no doubt a major talent will emerge there also.

I agree.

kishnabe - Only if she wins.....I would be shocked if she wins....since Clay isn't where I expected her to win her GS!

This was the conventional wisdom. The announcers were hilarious. Azerinka, Sharipova & Shiavone were ALL supposed to beat her....she couldn't play on clay, only played baseline.....I guess i was watching a different tournament. Heck the commentators even said that Fed had very little chance against Novak.

mtr1 - You do understand that "talent" is created by practice? If the Chinese apply the same training intensity to tennis players as they do to their badminton players they will produce grand slam champions.

I agree.

Tammo - In China she will be on the cover of every sports magazine

Yep....& a google search confirms she's gonna nail down lots of endorsements etc, too. Love her smile, her tatoo & her snarky sense of humor.

kflat - And you consider tennis a sport that takes more talent than hardwork? Tennis is all about hardwork and commitment, it's not like the NBA, NFL, etc where u can get away off pure athleticism. But thats what makes it a great sport, to make it to th verye top you have to have both talent and work ethic. Look at monfils lol that guy is ridiculously talented with all the physical tools but is a clown.


And I hope ur not blaming the lack of athleticism in America for the current state of American tennis. Tennis is not that popular comparatively and the most athletic kids aren't concentrating on tennis in America. That's why I think if Tennis in china does become hugely popular, it's a sport they could excel in. With a huge population, china will have more of a chance to find talented tennis players of a lot of kids start playing the sport.

Excellent post.

Originally Posted by Golden Retriever
Even the Chinese government can't "create" Chinese athletes who can sprint 100m in 9.7 sec. Chinese are hardworking but they are not that talented in sports and some sports, like tennis, take talent more than hardwork. For sports that take hardwork more than talent, like diving etc, Chinese are doing fine already but tennis takes a lot of talent and not that much hardwork. Just look at Mac Enroe.

America, with all the free courts, tennis academies, sunny weather, can't come up with another Sampras for 20 years, I am sure China can't neither.

Response by James Blake fan - That's a bogus statement. Just look at Gulbis, a guy with great talent, but doesn't work hard and you see the results. Sure the top men and women all have talent, but they also work hard to get where they are. You aren't born a top 10 player in the world or even a top 100, you have to work to get there.

Good Post Blake fan.

joeri888 - Li the biggest story? Of course not.. Murray will dominate the headlines

Murray who? :twisted:


==============

I prefer the mens game.....but i loved watching Li Na:

- defeat 3 (4?) straight grunting & shrieking Euro chicks.
- Come to the net when she had to.....& freaking ended the points when she got there.
- Play defense like Novak.....& take it early like Novak.
- Rip winners on green lights. (the girl almost always had more winners AND more unforced errors than her opponents.)
- Smile. What a great smile.

Very curious to see if at Wimbledon......if Li Na's defense will be able to hang with Serena's offense.....if it can, it could be a great final.

.