China's Zheng Jie vows to fight on

Chinese star Zheng Jie said here on Wednesday that she has not thought about retiring from the tour despite a shoulder injury has prevented her from playing the singles events.

Zheng, 32, won her first round mixed doubles match with Finland's Henri Kontine, beating French wild card Clothilde de Bernardi and Maxime Hamou 6-2, 6-3.

"I have been troubled by the injury since the Australian Open," she said. "Playing the singles is too much for me."

Her career has spiralled downwards since last year, slipping to 154th in the world rankings and crashing out of the Australian Open in the first round. But she managed to stay on the tour by playing the doubles, advancing to the Australian Open final with Zhang Yongran.

"I will not retire," she said. "I have not thought about it. I still enjoy playing tennis, so I don't want to leave."

Zheng shocked the world by reaching the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2008, becoming the first Chinese player to go that far in London. She thus has been suggested to ask for a wildcard from organizers, which will make her avoid playing the qualifying matches.

But the dimunitive player said she will not make that application considering her poor form.

"I just want to play in best condition," she said. "I don't think I will be fit enough to play the singles at Wimbledon." Endi