The burning topic is “will she or won’t she?” Well we have the short term answer: “she will not” as for the more long term decision that answer is “maybe”. On Sunday 31st January 2010 in Nantong, Jiangsu Province; 22 players from the Chinese National Women’s Team assembled for a selection tournament in preparation for the World Team Championships in Moscow in May.

Of those in combat one notable name was missing.

Facing the Media
However, she was there to face the media.

Zhang Yining was present after nearly three months’ holiday, she attended a press conference and confirmed that she will not compete in Moscow at the World Team Championships in May.

Hot Topic
“I know it’s been a hot topic since I got married; actually I have been in two minds for the past months and haven’t decided yet”, said Zhang Yining. “Anyway I have nothing to regret, if I choose to retire, I’m satisfied with my achievements but I don’t want to give up now; I feel I still have excess power.”

No long term decision but Zhang Yining explained that she wants to give more opportunities for the younger generation.

Younger Players
“For example if I take part in the Moscow World Championships, one younger player will be deprived of qualification”, she said. “These girls have been training very hard and as you know it’s very difficult for a Chinese female player to compete in world events, I think my retirement would give more chance for their development.”

Long Holiday
Achieving the heights has meant hours of practice and dedication; the recent three months have been much different for the newly married life, Zhang Yining.

“I would thank my colleagues for allowing me spend such a long holiday; it’s the happiest thing to wake up naturally!” said Zhang Yining. “In the past three months, I was free of any challenges and had nothing to worry about; I didn’t touch a racket but still kept some physical training; I really missed my teammates!”

Different Lifestyle
Sacrifices in the past have been essential, that is the life of any top class athlete but the last three months have been very different.

“It was such a relaxed lifestyle”, added Zhang Yining. “It wasn’t boring; I don’t have housekeeping to do but I feel that every woman should learn to be a competent housewife and do the right things at the right time for their age.”

Conjecture
Well, in the table tennis world, she done that most successfully and will we see her in London in 2012?

We have to wait and see.

Source: www.ittf.com

Written by :

Dimosthenis Messinis

 

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