Li Na: My Life by Li Na

Author:Li Na
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2013-12-17T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter 19

Injury

From 2007 through to 2008, I was tormented by injury. Just as the rib injury was almost fully healed, I developed a knee problem. During my recuperation period, Jiang Shan worked tirelessly on my behalf.

To be more accurate, Jiang Shan always works tirelessly on my behalf. I’m a moody person, and when a situation gets out of control, I often lose my temper. Actually, I’m quite a coward; not daring to yell at outsiders, I vent all my frustration on my husband. If it were someone else, maybe they would have called it quits long ago. It’s only Jiang Shan who can forgive and forget, continuing to put up with me.

When we were both professional players, we both carried out our duties in the relationship and had our own space. After I made my comeback, I wanted to play at the top of my game, and Jiang Shan took on the responsibility of being my ‘nanny’, helping me take care of a lot of things. I wasn’t eloquent, I was ignorant of the ways of the world, and when I became emotional, I acted like a child. Jiang Shan helped me grow up while also teaching me to adapt to my environment. Sometimes when I was too arrogant, he wouldn’t say anything. Soon, I would realise I was in the wrong and take the initiative to make up.

If we’re frightened or hurt by something as children, our first responseis to go to our parents for help. When we grow up, we have to be more independent. When we find ourselves standing on the brink of disaster, we must be prepared to ‘swallow the blood if your front teeth get knocked out and thank those who have helped you’. I can only thank God for sending me Jiang Shan. He’s my security blanket, my confidant and the one person I can rely on. He’s my biggest blessing.

When two people have been together for some time, many characteristics and little habits or quirks will start to grow on each other. I’m always biting my nails, and Jiang Shan never did. But when he nursed me back to health after my first knee operation, I noticed that his nails were very short. He’d been biting them. Jiang Shan is a deep, strong man. He never lets his stress be a burden to others, choosing to carry the load himself.

Jiang Shan has said that what he most appreciates about me is that I can face reality and break through boundaries. We Chinese have a habit of saving face, and are used to making all sorts of excuses to justify ourselves. In the sports arena, when we fail everyone says, It’s because we Asians don’t have as good a build. We can’t compete with Westerners. I don’t think this is the right attitude. Often, people don’t understand the limits they can be pushed to achieve, regardless of physique.

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