Zheng Jie thinks tennis should matches should be drawn according to weight categories – Tennis News
One of the shortest and lightest players in international tennis, China’s Zheng Jie has shared that she feels her sport should be divided into weight categories.
The Chinese heroine joked that she could be the world champion if there was a lightweight category in women’s tennis.
Zheng, who has a height of only 1.64 metres and weight of just 50kg, lost to an opponent who had a big stature.
The Chinese contestant lost to USA’s former world number one, Serena Williams, in three sets 7-6(5), 2-6, 7-9 in a fiercely contested third round match.
Talking to a Chinese news agency, Zheng said, “After coming off the court (Saturday), I just thought, ‘What if tennis was divided into several categories like weightlifting?’.”
She added, “When I was a child, I always dreamt that I could grow 10 centimetres taller. After the match, it flashed cross my mind again for the first time during the years.”
However, Zheng does not have any regret after the loss. The Chinese player said, “I have played my best tennis, tried my best and found my best form.”
The 28-year-old developed into China’s first star in singles, when she became first player from her country to reach semi-finals of a Grand Slam in singles by reaching last-four at the Wimbledon Championships in 2008. However,
she was unable to make it to the title match, as she lost to the same player, Serena.
Williams also praised her rival with some good words after the latest match. The American star said, “She’s playing unbelievable on grass.”
The 13-time Grand Slam winner was helped by her most effective weapon, her first serve, throughout the match, hitting a total of 23 aces. Commenting on that, she added, “It definitely helped me out today because I wasn’t doing
my best on my return like I normally do.”
After this performance, Zheng is full of confidence for the London Olympics, which will take place at the same venue after just three weeks. She is hoping to give a better performance than Athens and Beijing at this year’s Games.
The Chinese star won bronze medal in the women’s doubles category at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
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