Li Na has become emotionally stronger, says mother

French Open winner Li Na's mother says her daughter has become emotionally stronger than her

Li Na has become emotionally stronger, says mother

French Open winner Li Na's mother says her daughter has becomeu00a0emotionally stronger than her

China rejoiced yesterday after Li Na's French Open triumph brought Asia its first Grand Slam singles win, sparking confident predictions of a new dawn for tennis in the world's most populous nation.

The Chinese blogosphere lit up in adulation and newspapers splashed Li's beaming face across their front pages after the 29-year-old from Wuhan beat defending champion Francesca Schiavone of Italy 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) on Saturday.

Women's singles champion Li Na of China poses with the French Open
trophy by the banks of the River Seine yesterday. Pic/AFP

However, the tennis star's mother Li Yanping confessed that she was one of the many who broke into tears when her daughter fell onto her back in the red dirt of Roland Garros after Schiavone's shot went long on match point.

Stronger
"I noticed that Li Na didn't cry herself. She's become stronger than I am," her mother said, according to the Beijing News.

"I hope that she'll put in more match-winning performances and that she'll also be able to relax," she added.

In a message to her followers on the Twitter-like microblogging site Sina Weibo, Li declared: "I've finally realised my dream!

"I'm overjoyed at the support everyone's given me for so long. I could never have achieved this victory without your help, I hope you'll always support me."

"Li Na makes history!" the China Daily blared. "Her triumph is expected to provide a major push to a sport already rising fast in China."

Pride
Tennis in China is still largely the preserve of the well-heeled, but the sense of national pride was unmistakable at this latest declaration of the country's growing might on the world stage.

National broadcaster CCTV televised the match live to tens of millions of viewers across the country of more than 1.3 billion, and at the climax plastered a graphic on the screen which read: "Li Na, we love you!"

In an online survey by top Internet portal Sina.com, 44 percent of more than 100,000 respondents said they had cried at Li's victory, which the website described as the "pride of China and of Asia".

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