07.03
Zheng Jie’s storybook run to the Wimbledon semifinals is providing a much-needed emotional lift to her rural Sichuan province, which is devastated in the wake of an earthquake. Zheng, ranked No. 133, is the first Chinese player to reach a Grand Slam semifinal and the first wild card to get this far in Wimbledon history.
It’s amazing how far Ms. Zheng has come. I mean talk about out of nowhere, she’s been playing professionally since 2003 and regularly gets bounced out in the first or second rounds. Add to that the fact that she continues to reside and train in China (rather then move to Florida like many of her opponents) and you have a model Cinderella story. I’m equally surprised at how little publicity her showing has made … especially in this year of Chinese sports. I’ve spoken to more than a few Chinese friends and colleagues and almost to a person none had heard of Zheng Jie before nor knew how well she’s been doing. As the article says though, at least she’s been able to give her hometown something nice to think about.
China’s Zheng Jie makes history at Wimbledon
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