《李娜——網球回憶錄》
作者:李娜
新一屆溫布頓網球賽快要來了,梅利能否第三度奪冠?「細威」莎蓮娜威廉絲又是否可以問鼎三連霸?這一切,稍後自有分曉。
老生常談,所謂「台上一分鐘,台下十年功」,有力問鼎大滿貫的世界級網球手,他們在場上那強勁發球、刁鑽抽擊,全部不是朝夕可致。不少網球手的傳記,都披露了他們由小訓練到贏盡尊榮的種種秘辛。他們的故事,肯定引人入勝。
中國球手李娜也是一樣,她因為「單飛」(脫離國家體制發展)與奪得法網冠軍而廣為人知。能得此成就,背後一定藏有無數難為外人想像的經歷。
正因如此,李娜只消將自己的過去平實地交代,當中起伏跌宕,已經足夠使人讀來不忍釋卷。翻閱其回憶錄,才知道她高舉法網獎盃之時,光榮裡頭的欷歔實在叫尋常人難以負荷:小小年紀已經要離鄉別井訓練、比賽,為怕影響她,父親甚至連自己病重也要隱瞞。身為職業球手,咬緊牙關,獨自上場,她的歲月原來是那麼不容易。
如今,李娜已然退役,並成了兩個孩子的母親。從新聞報導得悉,雖然她目前年僅35歲,但已決定專心在球場以外的崗位推廣網球運動,並無復出打算。看到這位亞洲一姐的退役生活依然精彩,身為球迷自然替她感到欣慰。她自傳裡的憶苦思甜,現在讀來更是別有一番味道。
Li Na: My Life, by Li Na.
With this year’s Wimbledon tournament approaching, it’s a good time to reflect on the story of Chinese tennis queen Li Na. The subject matter alone is fascinating. Li recalls the misery behind the scenes before her French Open victory; being away from home from a very young age for training and matches, learning of her father’s terminal illness only at his death as he had hidden it from her to keep her focused, and facing challenges alone. Now 35, the mother of two has retired from professional play but remains committed to promoting tennis off the court. I was moved by Li’s poignant narrative and glad to learn about the full retired life of Asia’s leading tennis player.