Li Na: from a Tennis Icon to a Catalyst for Social Change
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Li Na: From a Tennis Icon to a Catalyst for Social Change An Honors Thesis (HONR 499) by Andrew Stutz Thesis Advisor Dr. Francine Fri edman Ball State University Muncie, Indiana April 2017 Expected Date of Graduation May 2017 )~C..\ ( I)(I~U~(r..l 1h j•) :,..v a4~~ Abstract 'zt' ~~ J\1 Sports are an integral part of most modem day societies, and sports stars can be among some of _s1& the most influential people in the world, for better or for worse. Chinese tennis legend Li Na is an example of a star athlete who has inspired millions inside her native country to challenge longstanding cultural norms and gender roles. Her success in the world of tennis has led to the dramatic growth of the sport in Asia, but it is her outspoken nature and rebellious actions that have caused her to become a beacon of hope for change within a somewhat oppressive regime. In this essay I use a number of interviews, videos, and news articles to demonstrate how Li has triggered many Chinese to reevaluate their roles in society. While she has not expressly stated any goals she has to alter Chinese culture or domestic politics, her innumerable interviews and speeches more than hint at her desire to arouse change inside and outside of her homeland. Acknowledgements I would like to thank Dr. Francine Friedman for not only advising me during the course of this project, but throughout the duration of my four years at Ball State University. Her unwavering support and her undoubtable love of teaching students has greatly helped me succeed in my academic endeavors. 2 Process Analysis Statement When first pressed with the difficult issue of having to decide upon a senior thesis topic, I wanted to choose a subject that would be able to combine my major of political science with one of my greatest passions, tennis. Historically, sporting stars have been able to promote social and political change within countries, and sporting events themselves have the unique ability to unite people for a common goal. One of my favorite athletes of all-time is Li Na, and I had become a fan of hers not only for her tennis skills, but also for her personality and life story. I decided to pick Li Na as the subject for my honor's thesis because I want to demonstrate how an athlete can positively promote political, cultural, and social change. The research process that I underwent while writing this thesis was most likely different from how most people went about their research for their projects. Instead of starting with scholarly articles about Li Na and her influence, I began with what had captivated me about her when I first started following her career: her interviews. I browsed YouTube and watched numerous amounts ofLi's on-court interviews and victory speeches to explore if what she said could have any impact on Chinese culture and domestic politics. What I found was that Li frequently used her humor and wit to poke fun at traditional Chinese norms, and even criticize her government and mass media. I compiled a number of her interviews and supplemented them with outside sources to try and adequately show how her words can have and have had influence on primarily younger generations in China. Written in the form of many political science works that I have read over the years, this essay should provide an in depth look at how Li has indirectly served as a catalyst for social change in China. 3 Introduction Chinese icon Li Na is a retired tennis player whose incredible athletic achievements seem minimal when compared to her influence and legacy off of the tennis court. Living in a culture in which the lives and careers ofwomen are often subjugated to those of men, Li's career has been a trailblazing one that has had a remarkable impact on the culture and gender roles within China. In almost every aspect of her life, Li Na is the antithesis of the typical Chinese woman, and this refusal to conform is one of the main reasons why she is so popular both inside and outside of China. She is the primary breadwinner for her family: as her husband quit his athletic career to help Li achieve hers; she is outspoken against her government; and she even proudly sports a bright tattoo of a rose on her chest. In this essay, I will use a plethora of articles and interviews to explore the impact Li Nahas had on a democratizing China and the gender roles within Chinese culture. Tennis Legacy Before delving into the ways in which Li Na has challenged the social norms of mainstream Chinese culture, it is important to get some brief background information on her successful tennis career. Often regarded as a late-bloomer on the tennis tour, Li achieved modest success until her breakout season in 2011 when she reached her first two major finals, and subsequently won her first major championship ("Career in Review," 2017). In tennis, there are perennial tournaments known as "The Majors" that are considered the biggest titles in the sport. The four majors are the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open, and winning one of these illustrious events cements a player's legacy in the history of the game. In 2011 , Li Na became the first Asian male or female to reach the singles final of a major tournament, which she did at the Australian Open. Li would ultimately fall to former world 4 number one player Kim Clijsters, but a few months later Li would get another shot at glory. At the 2011 French Open, Li defeated defending champion Francesca Schiavone to win her first career major title. Li's victory garnered significant worldwide attention, but even more notoriety in her homeland. According to some reports, "[a] record breaking 116 million Chinese watched tennis champion Li Na win the French Open on television last weekend, the World Tennis Association said, making her defeat of Francesca Schiavone the most-watched sporting event in China this year" (Landreth). To put that number into perspective, that is larger than the number of people that watched that year' s Super Bowl. In the following years, Li Na would continue to achieve high levels of success on tour. In 2013, Li reached her third major final (losing to Victoria Azarenka) and reached a career-high ranking of number three in the world. The next season, Li moved up to number two in the world and won her second major title at the 2014 Australian Open ("Career in Review," 2017). Li would ultimately retire in the middle of 2014 due to a number of plaguing injuries. Having won two major titles and achieving such a high ranking, Li will almost without a doubt become enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF). According to Diane Hayes, the Vice President of International Affairs of the ITHF, "[y]ou would expect it (that Li will be nominated). She is such a global icon. Her results as a professional are remarkable. She's made such a difference in the world and she is obviously so well respected in this country and throughout the world for her accomplishments" (Raja, 20 16). The Chinese Sports Machine Now that enough information has been introduced to demonstrate Li' s status as a legend of the game of tennis, her effects on Chinese culture and domestic politics can be discussed. The first way in which Li Na cemented herself as a trailblazer was in the way she defied the Chinese 5 government through her attempts to conduct her tennis career on her own terms. Like numerous Chinese children, Li was forcibly pushed into a career in sports at a young age. The Chinese national sports system has received heavy amounts of criticism over the years for its treatment of children as "China'sjuguo tizhi- or 'whole-nation sports system'- chums out champions by pushing young athletes to their limits every day for years on end" (Larmer, 2013). Under this system, children are placed into certain sports against their will. Li was originally slated to play badminton, but was told that her body was not suited well enough for the sport. A coach then persuaded her parents to push her into tennis. When asked about this switch, Li replied "[t]hey all agreed that I should play tennis ... but nobody bothered to ask me" (Larmer, 2013). Chinese athletes are thrown into whatever sport that the parents and federation leaders think they will most succeed in, and their main goal in achieving athletic success is supposed to be to bring glory to the Chinese homeland. Li began rebelling against the Chinese system from a young age. At age 11 , Li refused to continue training during one day's practice, and "[h]er punishment was to stand motionless in one spot during practices until she repented. Only after three days of standing did Li apologize" (Larmer, 20 13). Li would state in an interview years later that she only apologized for the sake of her father, whom she loved dearly, and who desperately wanted her to become a professional athlete. A few years later, Li's father died when she was only 14 years old. Li was playing in a tournament at the time, and her coach did not tell her about her father's passing for several days. Following her father' s death, Li's family started to face financial troubles and there was more and more pressure on Li to win tournaments to keep her family from falling into debt (Larmer, 2013).