Chinese tennis arena looks for a new star
中國網球界尋找新星

With Li Na, two-time Grand Slam champion in retirement and not defending her title at the Australian Open, other Chinese tennis players' performance is simply not enough to attract the same level of attention as before. The country is seeking a new star to fill the void left by Li Na.

Runner-up in the women's doubles for the cross-strait pairing of Zheng Jie and Chan Yung-jan. Breezing into the last 16 for Peng Shuai

That's the best performance of the Chinese "golden flowers" at the Australian Open this year.Though not sounding bad at all, this result left many unsatisfied. Especially when comparing to Li Na's glorious championship title at Melbourne Park last year.

Four months after a tearful goodbye from the China's first ever Grand Slam champion. The country is desperately looking for its next super star on the court. An interesting question has been repeatedly raised: Can China sustain its progress to become a tennis power?

Currently, 4 female Chinese players rank in the WTA top 100, led by Peng Shuai, at No. 22. Many others are making their way into the top players circle

And the search for the next Li Na has gone beyond these established names. 17-year-old Xu Shilin, who goes by the English name Coco has entered people's sight after winning the gold medal at the Youth Olympic Games last year.

She has told media that her goal is to win a Grand Slam title before she's 20. That would be a height no Chinese tennis players has ever reached. Things are going in the right direction, Xu has become the first Chinese girl to be No. 1 in the world junior rankings. Many top juniors, just like Xu, are receiving the best training abroad and making their efforts seen.

China is also seeing budding tennis academies across the country and an estimated 14 million people regularly play the sport. With all this, one thing is sure. Filling the void left by Li Na is going to be a matter of time, plus a pinch of luck.