China's rising stars serve notice on tennis world

Professional approach

Talent development is at the core of the revolution, and it has evolved profoundly in China. But players have also embraced professionalism, managing their careers on their own supported by a crew of coaches, fitness trainers, physios and agents, who are outside the traditional State-run sports system.

The result of this new professional approach has been quite encouraging, especially on the women's side.

Spearheaded by world No 7 Zheng Qinwen, China this week has six players ranked in the top 100 on the Women's Tennis Association Tour. Only the United States, Russia and the Czech Republic have more players than China in the women's top 100 with 13,12 and eight respectively.

Their predecessors' legacy has paid dividends for China's current generation, who have benefited from early exposure to professional tennis and more access to international events.

"I think players now know better, and earlier, about what it is like to live, breathe and play as a pro than what we did in the beginning," said retired star Zheng Jie, who won the 2006 Wimbledon women's doubles with Yan Zi.

"When we started we had no clue at all about being a professional tennis player, a very limited number of high-level tournaments to play at home, and did not know how to develop our game in the right way.

"I am really proud of how far the game has come in China. Sometimes I envy the current generation very much for the advantages they have now," said Zheng Jie, who was invited back to London to play in a legends' exhibition doubles tournament last week.