By Mark Hodgkinson
(Filed: 16/02/2006)
China's well-funded ambitions to become the next superpower of women's tennis have been thrown into controversy after it emerged yesterday that their second-ranked player, Peng Shuai, wants to break away from communist state control.
Peng, the world No 61, who has previously beaten such top players such as Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva, has grown frustrated at having to pay a significant portion of her winnings to the state. Reports from China suggested players have been required to give up as much as 65 per cent of their prize money.
Peng has indicated that she will no longer follow what have appeared to be restrictive training regimes, and will decide on her own coaching team, preparations and tournaments.
China's tennis authorities are understood to be highly embarrassed that Peng's dissatisfaction has been made so public. Since Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympic Games, the state has become interested in funding the sport, looking ahead to the prospect of gold medals.
The investment across China has already paid off. At the Australian Open last month China won its first grand slam title, with Zi Jan and Jie Zheng taking the women's doubles title at Melbourne Park.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=LTKET1BBKPXZ3QFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2006/02/16/sthodg16.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/02/17/ixtenn.html
(Filed: 16/02/2006)
China's well-funded ambitions to become the next superpower of women's tennis have been thrown into controversy after it emerged yesterday that their second-ranked player, Peng Shuai, wants to break away from communist state control.
Peng, the world No 61, who has previously beaten such top players such as Anastasia Myskina and Elena Dementieva, has grown frustrated at having to pay a significant portion of her winnings to the state. Reports from China suggested players have been required to give up as much as 65 per cent of their prize money.
Peng has indicated that she will no longer follow what have appeared to be restrictive training regimes, and will decide on her own coaching team, preparations and tournaments.
China's tennis authorities are understood to be highly embarrassed that Peng's dissatisfaction has been made so public. Since Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympic Games, the state has become interested in funding the sport, looking ahead to the prospect of gold medals.
The investment across China has already paid off. At the Australian Open last month China won its first grand slam title, with Zi Jan and Jie Zheng taking the women's doubles title at Melbourne Park.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=LTKET1BBKPXZ3QFIQMFCFGGAVCBQYIV0?xml=/sport/2006/02/16/sthodg16.xml&sSheet=/sport/2006/02/17/ixtenn.html
