Tennis in Asia: A journey filled with guts and trials

Ling Zhang takes no time to recall who might have started the Asian revolution in the sport.

- Shahid Judge

MUMBAI: Ling Zhang takes no time to recall who might have started the Asian revolution in the sport.

"Li Na, when she won the French Open (2011) and Australian Open (2014),"" Hong Kong's Billie Jean King Cup captain told HT in Pune. Zhang was in India last week for the Asia/Oceania Group 1 stage of women's tennis' premier team event.

"For us, she is like an elder sister. For her winning the Grand Slam actually makes you feel that if she can do it, there is a way for me to do it too. It feels the dream is closer," said Zhang.

But the most recent Asian to create a stir in a sport that remains centered around USA and Europe is Filipino teenager Alexandra Eala.

The 19-year-old, only a few weeks earlier, had beaten 2017 French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko, reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys, world No.9 Paula Badosa, and world No.2 and five-time Major winner Iga Swiatek to reach the Miami Masters semi-final.