When I returned to China after surgery in Germany and three months of rehabilitation training, the Olympics seemed to be within reach. The "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube" venues have been packed, and the countdown appears on the TV screen every day.I came to the base in Ji County together with the members of the national team to train intensively here.
Jixian County is located in the middle of Beijing and Tianjin. Our training site is located among the mountains. The Great Wall can be seen from a distance. The air in the valley is fresh and there are few people. This is a very comfortable base.
After returning home from Wimbledon, my right knee was a little swollen again.I quickly contacted the doctor, and the doctor told me the name of the injection to be used, and asked me to find a doctor in China and give me an injection every 5 days.Therefore, when I was training in Ji County, I rushed to Beijing every five days. Jiang Shan accompanied me by car to see Dr. Hu from the Third Hospital of Peking University for an injection.It will take at least three or four hours to go back and forth like this, but for training, there is no other way.
Due to the sudden increase in training intensity, my knees were more severely worn than expected. After one training session, the swelling was so severe that the doctor had to pump out the accumulated water inside before injecting medicine.I have been taking this needle intermittently, interrupted a few times in the middle, but in the end it continued.Even now, I get a shot every week.The medicine injected into the knee is equivalent to the lubricant used by the machine, which can protect the cartilage.
Will the leg injury affect my performance at the Olympics?Even I am not sure.I can only hold the mentality of "participation is the most important thing" for the Olympics, and I don't put too much pressure on myself.Fortunately, the focus of everyone's attention is on the women's doubles, and there is generally no expectation for the singles.We trained in Ji County for a long time before the Olympics. The head coach at that time paid more attention to Zheng Jie and Yan Zi, and often went to see them train. He only came to my venue twice.But then I entered the top four at the Olympics, and the head coach suddenly came to see me again.At that time, I was training on the center field, and many reporters were on the scene. The head coach suddenly came to inspect and helped me pick up a tennis ball that had fallen on the ground.I felt the pressure. This somewhat deliberate behavior shows that everyone believes that I can win an Olympic medal this time.
On August 8, the Olympic Games opened.For all the pain and worry, when the Olympics actually arrive, I'm still incredibly excited.This is the Olympic Games hosted by our country, which is an extraordinary event. I also participated in the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000, which was the first time to participate in the Olympic Games, but this time, after all, the Olympic Games were held at my doorstep, and the feeling was very different.
It's hard to describe the feeling of joy and encouragement.I think at that time, whether it was an athlete or an ordinary audience, whether it was the opening ceremony in Beijing or in front of the TV at home, the pride of being Chinese would spontaneously arise.
During the opening ceremony, Director Sun was afraid that I would not be able to keep up, so he told me: "Don't go, I'm too tired." I told her it's okay, "I'm going."I wanted to witness this event with my own eyes.At that time, I also carefully applied makeup to myself so that I would look better when I was on camera.
As the host of the Olympic Games, the Chinese team was the last to enter the main venue.Along the way, volunteers kept shouting around the Chinese delegation: "Come on, China!" In the auditorium, everyone held a small national flag, and everyone raised the flag high and shouted loudly.There was a moment when I really wanted to cry - words can't describe such a subtle feeling, I can't say anything, I can only let my tears flow.
After entering the arena, the performance began.Both Jiang Shan and I kept taking photos with people.In fact, I most wanted to take pictures with Federer at that time. He was the flag bearer of the Swiss delegation that day, and the audience responded enthusiastically as soon as he appeared on the court.Usually we see Federer in sportswear, but in the opening ceremony he wore the uniform of the Swiss delegation, which was very fresh.I searched for him in the crowd for a long time, but couldn't find him, maybe he slipped away early.That day was also his 27th birthday, and it was very meaningful to Fei Tianwang to come to this day.Still, I was very happy, and I found Hantuchova in the crowd posing for a photo with a few other tennis players I really like.The athletes of the Chinese delegation also took pictures of each other, and everyone was in high spirits.When we went there, we were all strictly disciplined, and whoever got on which car could not be wrong at all. After the opening ceremony ended, the situation became chaotic, and everyone got on whichever car they saw.The shoes issued by the delegation were uncomfortable for me to wear, so I walked back barefoot when the car arrived at the Olympic Village.
Contrary to the joy brought by the Olympic Games, the tennis team was full of gloom: the opening situation of the match was very unfavorable for the Chinese team. In the first round, he encountered a seeded player.
My signing luck was the worst of all: the first opponent was the famous Kuznetsova.
This was the peak of Kuznetsova's form, and she was ranked No. 3 in the world before entering the Olympics.This is a one-sided battle, and almost everyone believes that Kavat will definitely win this game.Even I can't help but think so.The media simply published such a headline: China Jinhua signed a lucky errand, Li Na's first round of Kuzwa!
It does rhyme.
I always feel that I am unlucky when I arrive at the Olympics. In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, I encountered Sanchez Vicario, who was ranked TOP10 in the world, in the first round, and was eliminated in the first game.As soon as I saw the lottery result this time, I smiled wryly and said to Jiang Shan: "It's over! It's another 'round tour'!"
Despite this, I still try my best to train and prepare for the game seriously.I tuned up some of Kavat’s game videos and watched them over and over again, and there was a small flame of competitiveness secretly burning in my heart-I and Kuznetsova are old acquaintances, and I once beat Kuznetsova at Wimbledon Zova once, and when we met in matches later, the scores were mostly close.Despite saying that, deep down in my heart, Kuznetsova is not invincible and I still have a chance.
Facts proved that I was right. The start of the game was not smooth. I was still a little worried about my injured leg. Kavat broke my first three serve games in a row and established an early lead.She has a powerful serve and a great forehand.
But the confrontation during this period allowed me to find confidence. I didn't think about winning or losing. I concentrated on attacking her forehand and successfully completed two breaks.
Next came Kavat's serve to win the game. I successfully broke her serve and tied the score all the way to 5:5. In the tie-break, I ended with a score of 7:5. The game of the first set.
The audience cheered loudly.I felt a little calmer.Anyway, Kavat, this is my home game.
The process of the second set was exactly the same as that of the first set. Kuznetsova broke my serve again at the beginning.But it didn't help. I broke her two serve games in a row, and won five games in a row to overtake the score to 5:2.
I saw the Kavat's face, a fretted, frustrated face, the same expression I'd seen myself in the lounge mirror so many times.
That's a sign of failure.
At this time, the game had completely lost its suspense. In the crucial tenth game, I shattered Kuznetsova's hope of reversal with a winning break, and the final score was fixed at 6:4.We played this game for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, and I sent three ACE balls back and forth.
After the game, I went back to the Olympic Village for dinner, and met young athletes from Hubei in the restaurant. They came to ask me how I was doing. I said I just won the first round. They said they made it to the top four. Everyone Tacitly shook hands vigorously, and told the other party: "Come on!"
In the second round, there was no danger, and I successfully entered the quarter-finals.
After entering the quarterfinals, I met a majestic opponent—even among Chinese audiences who are relatively new to tennis, there are few who have never heard of her reputation—she is the familiar Venus Williams!
This was considered to be a one-sided game again, and everyone felt that Venus Williams's breakthrough into the semi-finals was a foregone conclusion-even those who had never played tennis had heard of the great reputation of the Serena and Williams sisters.Venus Williams, who has 7 Grand Slam titles, just won the Wimbledon women's singles and doubles championships a month ago. She won the first three rounds of the Olympic Games with ease. It can be said that her competitive state is quite good.And I have never played against Venus before, and now I suddenly meet such a strong opponent in the quarter-finals, everyone is sweating for me.
If you pay attention to tennis news, you will see the subtle changes in the attitude of news headlines on the website during that time: from "Li Na bravely captures Kuzwa" to "China's Golden Flower is facing a major test", "A strong enemy blocks The Road to the Final Four”, the hometown media are expressing their concerns about this game in their unique way. Obviously, everyone generally has a cautious wait-and-see attitude (or some simply don’t know whether I can beat Venus Williams. hope), but as a Chinese, the attitude of fighting against the enemy can be felt.
It was raining all the time on the day of the game, and the originally scheduled game time had to be postponed and postponed again and again.The rain didn't stop until 6:30 in the evening. I remember that I didn't even do any preparations, and suddenly received a notice that the competition would start in 45 minutes!The coaches are not around, but fortunately Wu Di is around.I hurriedly asked him to help me move a bit, and then hurried into the arena.My match against Venus was the second match of the day, after Blake vs. Federer.
Federer seemed to lose that match.Because when they came out, we were walking in, and I saw that Blake had a happy expression and was being interviewed by reporters. When Dawei walked by him, the two even fought each other, meaning: "Come on!"
I didn't think too much about it, and started warming up as soon as I walked into the venue.
There were no seats on the sidelines of the game. Although the staff had read the rules of the game to the audience before the game, I heard the audience shouting my name as soon as I entered the stadium.That game made me truly understand what it means to be "difficult to ride a tiger".
The matter of the home court is indeed very delicate.The cheers from the stands can be motivating or stressful.After playing tennis for so many years, I am used to playing away games - I have faced Russian players on the court in Moscow, and I have also experienced the love Washington people have for their hometown players at the US Open. These are not problems .Most of the time, I can ignore the distractions of English, Russian, French and Spanish, none of which are my mother tongue, and when I concentrate on tennis, they lightly touch my cerebral cortex and fly away immediately.They can't affect my state.
The only thing I have never experienced is in China, in front of so many cameras, playing a game that seems destined to lose under the watchful eyes of nearly 10,000 Chinese spectators.The history of tennis in China is not long, and people don’t know much about the etiquette on the tennis court, so they often cheer wildly before the end of a match point. —I can’t focus on observing the opponent and thinking about tactical changes, but anyway, I said to myself, don’t worry, you are playing in front of your own home, this is your home field, put down the burden and concentrate on playing.
Venus is worthy of being one of the best female players in the world. Her opening game was indeed full of kingly demeanor. The powerful serve made me unable to return the ball. Venus soon established a 3:0 lead.
Bad start, which seems to be the pattern I have to experience in every competition in this Olympic Games.I tried to calm myself down and looked in the direction of the box. Jiang Shan was just like me, he was also trying to maintain his composure, and Jiang Shan even made a "relax" expression.
I stabilized my mood, and started to meet her serve head-on, try to return the ball to the opponent, and try to control the rhythm of the game on my own side. This move really worked. I succeeded in keeping the serve, and the score was slowly pulled by me. return.
In the end, I won the first set with a score of 7:5.
What was more exciting than me was the Chinese fans outside the stadium. I heard them shouting loudly, and some people sang "Descendants of the Dragon".At this time, the game was only halfway through, and everyone was already so happy, as if I had already defeated David.
This breath has already mentioned my chest, the desire and the motivation to win keep hitting my heart.I know I have to win this game, I have to win.Winning is the only option, I have no right to lose.It's really not my battle alone.
After the start of the second set, I led 6:5. The score never widened a large distance, and it always rose steadily and alternately.When it came to my match point, I was very nervous, and the veteran Williams noticed it immediately. My serve was hit back hard by the opponent, and I went to catch the ball-fault.
I comforted myself: It doesn't matter, I'm still in the lead, and it will be no problem to get this point.
But David also understood the weight of this point, and we fought endlessly for that point for a long time, until David gradually lost his patience, I seized the opportunity to kill the killer, and finally won this precious point.
This point may also have brought pressure on Venus.When I served the ball at the second match point, she slapped it directly into the net, and I couldn't help but jumped up. 7:5!I won!I beat David!
I found out afterwards that not only Director Sun Jinfang was cheering me on in the auditorium that day, but Bill Gates also came to watch the Williams game.But what touched me the most was that after winning the game, after shaking hands with David and the referee, the audience burst into applause, and everyone shouted in unison: "Li Na! Li Na!" At that moment, my ears were buzzing. The roar continued until I left the field and walked into the lounge, and I could still hear people chanting my name from the sidelines.
Later, the reporter told me that this is the best result achieved by a Chinese female tennis player in the Olympics so far.Many websites immediately updated the latest news: most of the headlines had the words "upset" and "dark horse", and the words "big defeat" and "painful slaughter" which were highly inflammatory also appeared frequently, and even the words "Dawei has become a success" appeared frequently. Li Na photographed the soul of the dead". (How exaggerated you are!)
One website is the most interesting, it simply made a comparison chart:
7 Grand Slam winners VS 2 WTA junior titles
No. 7 seed VS No. 42 seed
5-time Wimbledon Champion VS Wimbledon Quarterfinals
In the end, "'China's First Sister' Li Na knocked out Venus Williams by surprise".
Winning and losing is a matter of war, and Venus Williams is a player with unparalleled talent.After that game, we played against each other several times, and the two sides won each other.A game in the Olympic Games doesn't really explain anything.What shocked me was the invisible heavy pressure from the audience. The Chinese people need a victory to prove themselves.I thought tennis was just a sporting event, but at that game, the crowd's madness made me realize: it bears more than just sports.
Although there were two unpleasant incidents in the next game, this night still left me with a particularly good memory.
In the next game, I will play against Safina of Russia.
This match was more difficult than expected.I have played against Safina twice and won both times.This time, I think I have a good chance of winning.But it turns out that Safina not only has rich experience in the game, but also has the same physical fitness and explosive power as her brother "Tennis Czar" Safin, and my absence from the previous quarter made my feeling on the court worse.I felt struggling in the first set. I stepped up my attack at the net to deal with my opponent, but surrounded by Safina's powerful serve, my attack seemed a bit sluggish.The damn knees also joined in the fun, and I felt powerless and ended up losing the crucial tie-break.
The second set was a little better.In order to make the energetic Safina quieter, I tried to change the landing point of the ball as much as possible.This played a role, and I took a 4-2 lead on set points.
Safina realized what I was trying to do, and she started to fight back even harder. The power of this Russian girl who is 4 years younger than me is simply boundless.I didn't dare to neglect at all, the string in my mind was tense, as if it would break if I was not careful.However, in this critical state, I always heard a spectator shouting loudly in the stands: "Go to the net! Slice the ball! Pull left and right!" The sound is very loud.Before Safina's return hit the ground, I heard him yelling: "It's out of bounds!"Because the audience reacted too much, the referee also said "quiet" and "quiet" several times in Chinese, but the effect was not great.
I feel that there are noises everywhere in my ears. In the past, it was better for foreign audiences to shout English and French.
After beating Venus, I knew my mental state had changed. Before, I was thinking: just do my best, but now, my expectations of myself have become higher, and I am eager to win against Safina , the result is haste makes waste.At this moment, I am like sailing against the current. I am exhausted under the attack of fatigue and irritability, and my mind has become numb. The waves of loud noise make it difficult for me to think about the next game.At 5:4, I had an inventory in my hand, and when I returned the ball, the voice sounded again: "Internet! Slam her!"
By coincidence, I actually went to smash it.
The tennis ball went out of bounds and I lost the point.
Before I figured out what I was going to do, my body was already there.The bad temper broke out vividly, and I yelled at the audience: "Shut up!"
The scene suddenly fell silent, and the expressions of the innocent audience who were hurt were disappointed and aggrieved.I'm also terrified by my urges, what am I doing?
I couldn't speak, and the guilt started to come in waves. I didn't want to fight, and I rushed through the game.
After the game I was both angry and tormented by constant guilt.I owe a "sorry" to those enthusiastic viewers.
To me, the phrase "shut up" means "You're doing this wrong, you're disturbing me".I don't know why, but I said this sentence all at once, as if I found a channel to vent.In the past, it was Jiang Shan who took on this pressure, but this time, I lost control.I couldn't control myself because of my impatience. Obviously, this is not the mentality that a mature athlete should have.
I have been training abroad all year round, and I am used to speaking English on the tennis court, because only in English can I communicate with referees, chief referees and coaches.After the game, there was a vigorous discussion on the Internet about "why Li Na curses people in English". Just "swearing at the audience" is bad enough, but "using English" made me fall into a quagmire that could never be restored.Subtle national sentiment was inspired by the phrase "Shut Up!"
If I had known that this subconscious move would cause so much trouble, I would have glued my mouth shut.
Thus ended the Olympic journey full of ups and downs.After this competition, I myself began to consciously train my mentality.The Olympics is a competition that I take very seriously.My father once said before his death that he hoped that I could win the national championship and the Olympic championship. It was very easy to catch up with the Olympic Games hosted by our country this time, but I failed to meet my expectations and stopped at the semi-finals. Unfortunately.
