French Open success has not gone to her head

Beijing: Undaunted by her French Open success, Chinese tennis star Li Na says she would like to achieve her “ultimate goal to become a housewife”. “I have not changed, it is just the public opinion about me that has changed and there are higher expectations. My ultimate goal is to become a housewife and even that has not changed,” said Li, who has been hailed as “break-through pioneer”, during a felicitation ceremony last night. [caption id=“attachment_37236” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Li’s victory helped her bury all the tensions that dogged her career at home after she turned pro three years ago. Eddie Keogh/Reuters”]  [/caption] Li’s victory over defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy at Roland Garros recently helped her bury all the tensions that dogged her career at home after she turned pro three years ago. Even the powerful ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) owned up her success, asserting that it was also a victory for its ideological pursuit. “Li winning the French Open was a showcase of her competitive strength as well as a demonstration of the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics under the leadership of the Communist Party of China,” said Secretary of Hubei, Li’s native province, Li Hongzhong. The secretary hailed Li as a “breakthrough pioneer” and handed her $92,820. The 29-year-old, who became the first Chinese player to win a Grand Slam, was at loggerheads with the country’s tightly controlled political establishment after distancing herself from sports administration. PTI