[maxuilg]

Regardless of the political angle (if that's even possible in this situation), it's also sad that she claims to want to give her entire winnings to those suffering in her home region due to the earthquake, and yet she is not allowed to under the Association rules.

Under the Chinese Association rules? What does the Chinese Association state she has to do with her money?

Also....unless the Beijing courts are on grass, it would be foolish to expect the same results because Jie's game is very very tailored to grass as Ana warned.....

[Twendypreency]

Under the Chinese Association rules? What does the Chinese Association state she has to do with her money?

Give it back to them, MissinAndre. The Federation takes almost all a percentage of each of the player's winnings.

[Oberjej]

I'm not sure this is the right forum to encourage or bait Zheng to trash or criticize or take a stance on something that she will obviously suffer severe reprecussion from.

This is a remarkable remarkable achievement for her and I think like others, they should just let her enjoy the day.....and challenge her on the Chinese Federation another time at like say....when she emigrates to the United States and is no longer, nor is her family no longer in any danger.

I don't think that we should judge those in Zheng's postion for not speaking handily about things like the oppressive Chinese Federation when she and her family may be in danger or suffer repercussions

While the abuses that the Chinese athletes suffer should be brought to light....we don't get to pick or chose who, when and where. We should let the athletes choose for themselves and respect those who choose tradition, family and their oppresive regimes over speaking out

The moderator did a good job of moving things along.....and the interviewer....ahhhh typical interviewer!

But as for me....I'm dismayed that Zheng won't be able to keep her earnings She rightfully deserves every bit of them and......if the Chnese government can afford to build all those skyscrappers and new buildings and host the 2008 olympics...then they can take care of those devastated people and let Zheng keep her earnings. They are going to come under heavy heavy criticism from the international community if Zheng doesn't get to keep her earnings....

It's been that way for as long as I can remember... And that's why Moose raised the comparison to Zvereva who was quite a pioneer in escaping the clutches of such primitive schools of thought. (Damn, I miss that woman!) Peng balked about it a few years back, and I'm sure she got her hand slapped.

But I don't know that anyone is going to complain about it. We should. Our leaders should. The international sports community should. But unfortunately there are other fish to fry, I guess.

Like Moose said, the whole thing is just sad. Very, very sad.

[TeNuaTe]

That's why I referenced Natasha, MissinAndre. Who will probably always be the most respected tennis player, in my book.

She risked everything. Her career. Her family's , and her own safety. And she won. It might have been foolish, but the story is incredible.

Not to diminish Zvereva's courage, but the political climate in the Soviet Union in the late 80s was way more open to this kind of protest than in, say, the Soviet Union in the 60s. Or China now.

I'm with 4m8 on this one. I understand the journalistic angle, but I don't think it's worth risking what could happen to Jie Zheng if the journalist successfully managed to trip her into talking about what s/he wanted to talk about. Until she chooses to speak of it on her own volition, it's not fair to ask her to risk that for herself and her family.

[maxuilg]

It's been that way for as long as I can remember... And that's why Moose raised the comparison to Zvereva who was quite a pioneer in escaping the clutches of such primitive schools of thought. (Damn, I miss that woman!) Peng balked about it a few years back, and I'm sure she got her hand slapped.

But I don't know that anyone is going to complain about it. We should. Our leaders should. The international sports community should. But unfortunately there are other fish to fry, I guess.

Like Moose said, the whole thing is just sad. Very, very sad.

The WTA should complain about this, take a stand on it....stand up for the wta and it's players.....

[maxuilg]

Give it back to them, MissinAndre. The Federation takes almost all a percentage of each of the player's winnings.

[Oberjej]

The WTA should complain about this, take a stand on it....stand up for the wta and it's players.....

At the same time that the WTA and ATP are catering to Chinese interests and sponsorship?

Great idea, missin'... But the WTA and ATP are moving in the polar opposite direction... They're moving toward CLOSER alliances with the Chinese establishment. Not government, per se, or the policies of government. But it's all really complex.

[Twendypreency]

Not to diminish Zvereva's courage, but the political climate in the Soviet Union in the late 80s was way more open to this kind of protest than in, say, the Soviet Union in the 60s. Or China now.

No doubt, Pamchenko. If Natasha had done what she did in the 60s, it's very possible we never would have seen her on a court again. Still, even in her time, it was an incredibly daring move, that brought about a huge change. And I'll always have incredible respect for her for being brave enough to stand up for her beliefs.

[avaiptutt]

At the same time that the WTA and ATP are catering to Chinese interests and sponsorship?

Great idea, missin'... But the WTA and ATP are moving in the polar opposite direction... They're moving toward CLOSER alliances with the Chinese establishment.

Bingo!

[Zpxbawtz]

Under the Chinese Association rules? What does the Chinese Association state she has to do with her money?

Strictly speaking it's not her money. She probably has a contract with federation stating that most of the prize money (70-80% I would guess) goes to them. Think of it as a very high tax rate.

I don't think she would be in physical danger if she rebelled, but she might lose more financially than she gains. She would almost certainly lose all access to coaches, training facilities, free travel and hotels (all provided by the federation). Her earnings might be insufficient to compensate for all that because I doubt she will have results like this regularly.